The Seattle Seahawks are making a few strategic moves ahead of their biggest game of the year - Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots - and they’re turning to some familiar faces to shore up depth. On Saturday, the team elevated running backs Velus Jones Jr. and Cam Akers from the practice squad, giving themselves some flexibility in the backfield as they prepare for Sunday’s showdown.
Now, let’s be clear - getting elevated from the practice squad doesn’t automatically mean Jones or Akers will be active on game day. We’ve seen this before.
In fact, both players were elevated ahead of the NFC Championship Game against the Rams, but only Akers suited up. Jones was listed as inactive that Sunday morning.
So, while the move opens the door, it doesn’t guarantee a spot on the 48-man active roster.
Still, the Seahawks’ decision makes sense, especially in light of their current situation. Seattle lost their leading rusher, Zach Charbonnet, to a season-ending injury during their divisional round win over the 49ers.
That’s a major blow to a team that leans heavily on a physical run game to set the tone. With Charbonnet out, the Seahawks are clearly evaluating all available options to keep their ground attack viable against a tough New England defense.
Velus Jones Jr. has had a winding journey this season. He started the year with the New Orleans Saints but was released and later picked up by Seattle in October.
Since then, he’s appeared in three regular-season games and got some playoff action in the Seahawks’ blowout win over San Francisco. His stat line isn’t eye-popping - 10 carries for 42 yards - but he brings speed and versatility, and in a game like the Super Bowl, sometimes it’s the unexpected contributors who make the difference.
Jones isn’t the only former Tennessee Volunteer who could see the field Sunday. On the Patriots’ side, backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs is suiting up behind rookie starter Drake Maye.
Dobbs has seen limited action this season - four games, 65 passing yards on 7-of-10 completions, plus 10 rushing yards - but he’s a steady veteran presence. And as we’ve seen time and time again in the postseason, backup quarterbacks can go from clipboard holders to game-changers in a heartbeat.
Just ask the Broncos, who had to turn to their bench after Bo Nix went down.
Kickoff for Super Bowl LX is set for Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET, with NBC handling the broadcast. The stage is set, the rosters are nearly finalized, and for guys like Velus Jones Jr. and Cam Akers, the next 24 hours could determine whether they’re watching from the sideline or stepping onto the biggest stage in football.