The Seattle Seahawks may have finally cut the nickelback position battle from four players down to three, although it’s not because of performance on the field.
“Kalan Reed has a neck injury,” coach Pete Carroll stated after Saturday’s preseason contest against the Chargers. “He’ll see a specialist early this week, next Monday, and we’ll know more. We don’t know what to tell you at this point.”
Reed’s injury status will become much clearer early next week, but the fact that he couldn’t suit up at all on Saturday and that he is seeing a specialist doesn’t bode well for him being healthy enough to play on Thursday – which is his last remaining chance to win the nickelback job before the season begins.
Reed was the final pick in the 2016 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. He appeared in seven games with them over two seasons, before landing on Seattle’s practice squad last year.
He only earned six snaps last week against the Vikings, compared to 31 for Jamar Taylor and 30 for Akeem King, so it’s possible his chances at winning the job had already vanished before his injury.
Regardless, the Seahawks will certainly try to keep the versatile Reed around as a practice squad player and/or special teams asset, assuming he is healthy enough to play.
