Seahawks Released Bell and Hicks
The Seattle Seahawks moved to trim their roster and add depth to the practice squad this week.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Football
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The Seattle Seahawks released safety D'Anthony Bell and wide receiver Julian Hicks on September 30. The team also signed linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo to the practice squad.
Why it matters
The roster moves were made to create capacity for internal adjustments, including the removal of a practice squad exemption for receiver Malick Meiga. Meiga now counts toward the team's active roster limit.
D'Anthony Bell departs the organization after playing 64 NFL games over four seasons with 9 starts. Meanwhile, the Seahawks enter their next matchup as 7-point favorites against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The players
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team that competes in the NFC West division of the NFL.
D'Anthony Bell
D'Anthony Bell is a safety who has accumulated 64 games of experience across four NFL seasons.
Julian Hicks
Julian Hicks is a 27-year-old wide receiver who has been waived by the Seahawks three times since training camp.
Jimmy Ciarlo
Jimmy Ciarlo is a linebacker who was recently signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.
Malick Meiga
Malick Meiga is a wide receiver who now counts against the Seahawks' active roster following a change in his practice squad status.
The details
The team opted to release Bell and Hicks to accommodate shifting personnel needs within the active roster. Additionally, safety depth remains a point of focus with Ty Okada having missed three games this season due to a hamstring injury.
Timeline
August 17: Julian Hicks initially signed with the Seahawks.
September 28: Head coach Mike Macdonald commented on team performance.
September 30: The Seattle Seahawks officially announced the roster moves.
Season Trajectory
These maneuvers reflect the team's ongoing effort to manage depth amid injury concerns to key contributors like Julian Love and Ty Okada. Balancing the active roster while navigating practice squad limitations remains essential to maintaining a competitive edge throughout the season.
The team will proceed into the next game as 7-point favorites, with the roster shuffle potentially impacting special teams depth. Fantasy managers should monitor the status of injured safeties Julian Love and Ty Okada, as their health affects the team's defensive rotation.
The takeaway
Roster fluidity is a common reality for NFL teams during the regular season as they manage injuries and practice squad eligibility. Fans and analysts should track these depth adjustments closely as they signal how the coaching staff intends to fill gaps in the lineup.
Further reading
For more on the current team structure and depth chart, visit Seattle Football.
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