NFC title game hero Garry Gilliam inactive for Super Bowl XLIX

Garry Gilliam, a rookie free agent, helped the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl XLIX by catching a TD pass off a fake field goal in the NFC Championship game. But he’s among the inactive players for Sunday’s game.

Feb 01, 2015 at 06:35 AM

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Garry Gilliam, one of the unexpected heroes of the Seahawks' overtime victory against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game, is the only surprise among the team's seven inactive players for Sunday's Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium.

And the move isn't that surprising, because safety Jeron Johnson and tight end Cooper Helfet are ready to play after sitting the NFC title game two weeks ago.

Johnson is a core special teams player and also insurance because the All-Pro safety tandem of Earl Thomas (shoulder) and Kam Chancellor (knee) will be playing after they were injured against the Packers and in Friday's practice, respectively. Helfet gives the Seahawks a third tight, along with starter Luke Willson and Tony Moeaki. Gilliam had been used as the third tight endwhen Helfet was sidelined.