As the Seattle Seahawks gear up for their cross-country trip to San Jose ahead of Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots, there’s still one roster decision lingering in the background - and it could have a subtle but meaningful impact on the game’s third phase: special teams.
Linebacker and core special teamer Chazz Surratt has been sidelined with an ankle injury since Seattle’s Week 12 win over the Tennessee Titans. But after nearly two months on injured reserve, he’s now eligible to return - and the Seahawks have a choice to make. With only one injured reserve/designated-to-return slot left for the postseason, Surratt’s activation would be the final move they can make in that category.
The 21-Day Clock Is Ticking
Surratt was cleared to return to practice back on Tuesday, January 13, during the week of Seattle’s NFC Divisional Round win over the 49ers. That started the league’s standard 21-day window for players designated to return from IR. Within that period, teams must decide: activate the player to the 53-man roster, or shut them down for the remainder of the season.
The clock runs out next week - and with Seattle’s first official Super Bowl practice set for Wednesday, February 4, that session will likely reveal the team’s decision. If Surratt’s on the field, he’s back. If not, his season’s over.
Who’s the Odd Man Out?
If the Seahawks do choose to activate Surratt, they’ll need to make room on the 53-man roster. That means either waiving a player - not ideal during Super Bowl week - or placing someone else on injured reserve.
The most logical candidate? Rookie offensive tackle Amari Kight.
He was inactive in the NFC Championship Game against the Rams and was listed as doubtful leading into that matchup. Kight could be a candidate for the same late-season IR move that fellow rookie lineman Bryce Cabeldue received earlier in the playoffs.
Another name to watch is fullback Robbie Ouzts. He missed the NFC title game with a neck injury and was limited in practice throughout the week. If his availability for the Super Bowl remains in question, the Seahawks could consider shelving him to open up a roster spot.
If Surratt Doesn’t Return?
Then nothing changes - at least not on paper. The Seahawks keep their final IR-return slot unused, but with no other players eligible to come back this season, it’s a moot point. Surratt would remain on injured reserve, and Seattle would roll into the Super Bowl with the same special teams unit they’ve had the past few weeks.
Still, it’s a decision worth watching. Special teams often fly under the radar in big-game narratives, but a player like Surratt - who’s made his name as a high-effort, high-IQ contributor in kick and punt coverage - can be the difference in flipping field position or pinning an opponent deep in a tight game. And in a matchup as tight as Seahawks-Patriots, every edge matters.
We’ll know by Tuesday whether Seattle thinks Surratt can give them one.