SEATTLE — Defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison has indeed played his last snap with the Seahawks.
The Seahawks waived Harrison on Monday after he met with coach Pete Carroll earlier in the day and said he did not want to play for the team after being made inactive for Sunday’s game against the Rams.
“He’s decided to stop playing,” Carroll said during his radio show on ESPN 710 Seattle. “He’s done playing.”
Carroll said, “I don’t know what will happen with any other club,” seeming to hold out the idea that Harrison could play for another team. That may be difficult with just one week of the regular season remaining and COVID-19 protocols.
An NFL Network report said Harrison had asked for his release after being told he would be inactive for Sunday’s game. Harrison confirmed on Twitter that he was done playing for Seattle.
But after Sunday’s 20-9 win over the Rams that clinched the NFC West, Carroll said he knew Harrison was disappointed and added that he planned to talk with him Monday and couldn’t comment further.
But in the conversation, Harrison made it clear he was done with the Seahawks.
“He’s in good spirits and all that,” Carroll said. “He’s just, he’s done.”
A few minutes after Carroll’s radio show, Harrison confirmed that on Twitter.
“I want to thank my teammates and the Seahawks for allowing me to be a small part in the 2020 season,” Harrison tweeted. “Wish it didn’t have to end but it’s time for us both to move on. All love 12s”
Harrison found out over the weekend he would be inactive after the Seahawks activated second-year player Bryan Mone to be the third defensive tackle, backing up starters Jarran Reed and Poona Ford.
“What’s next for me?,” Harrison tweeted Monday morning. “I’m not sure, I have to make sure my family is good before I do anything. They are my 1st priority. I’d like to keep playing but with Covid and other logistics it’s tough to just pack up and immediately leave. I’ll keep y’all posted!”
The 32-year-old signed with Seattle’s practice squad in October and was activated to the 53-player roster in November. He played in six games while Mone was rehabbing a high-ankle sprain.
Seattle has gone with a three-man tackle rotation all season, and Mone’s return — which the team announced Saturday — made Harrison the odd man out. Harrison had signed a one-year deal with Seattle for the veteran minimum of $1.05 million.
Mone played 26 snaps Sunday and had two tackles and a quarterback hit.
Other teams have 24 hours to claim Harrison off waivers. If no one does he would become a free agent. Harrison indicated he would want to pick his new team if an offer comes. There had been reports earlier in the year that Tampa Bay and Miami were interested.
Harrison wrote on Twitter that he hopes to keep playing: “That’s the plan. If I can work out the logistics of it. Not doing the waiver thing though … nah”
As Carroll noted, Harrison has seven kids and said Harrison is “going to try to just get them back home (the Dallas area) and get them safe.”
Harrison told reporters last month he was so eager to play for the Seahawks that he had decided to move his entire family to Seattle for the season.
Harrison had nine tackles in six games for Seattle, three solo, forcing a fumble in a 40-3 win over the Jets.
“He was awesome to have around,” Carroll said. “We loved him. Sorry to see him go.”
Waiving Harrison opens a spot on Seattle’s 53-player roster. One possibility is cornerback Tre Flowers, who has returned to practice from a hamstring injury. Carroll told reporters during a Zoom call Monday that Flowers will be full go in practice this week with the expectation of returning to play Sunday against the 49ers.
