The Seahawks are getting a versatile piece of their offensive line back for the closing stretch of the season, with Ethan Pocic being activated from injured reserve on Saturday.
Running back Rashaad Penny was placed on injured reserve, an expected move following the season-ending ACL injury he sustained in last week's game at Los Angeles.
Pocic, a second-round pick out of LSU in 2017, was placed on injured reserve in Week 6 due to a back injury. He returned to practice ahead of Seattle's Week 13 game against Minnesota, and became eligible to return to the 53-man roster this week after missing the required eight games while on injured reserve.
"He has had a really good return to us," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said after Friday's practice. "… We're glad to have Ethan back. He has been a really versatile player for us, he has worked really hard to get back, he feels great. He's been practicing for three weeks putting it together, so he's ready to go."
Due to injuries, Pocic has appeared in just two games this year, starting the opener at left guard. He appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, starting 11 games, five at left guard and six at right guard. He appeared in 10 games last year, starting four.
While Pocic's NFL experience has been at guard, he brings versatility, having played center and tackle at LSU. Pocic's extensive experience at center—he started 37 games there in college—is particularly significant given that starting center Justin Britt is on injured reserve. Joey Hunt has played well there in Britt's absence, but experienced depth at that position could prove helpful at some point.
The Seattle Seahawks face the Carolina Panthers at Lumen Field for Week 14 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at photos from previous games between the two teams.
Carolina Panthers' Donald Hayes (81) is hit by Seattle Seahawks' Jay Bellamy (20) and Willie Williams (27) after a catch in the second quarter Sunday, Oct. 8, 2000, at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Perel)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) runs against the Carolina Panthers in the first half Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004, in Seattle. Alexander gained 195 yards rushing on 32 carries and scored twice in leading the Seahawks to a 23-17 victory. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Darrell Jackson, right, steps around Carolina Panthers' Colin Branch after catching a pass during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004, in Seattle. Jackson led the Seahawks in pass reception yards with 71 in the Seahawks' 23-17 victory. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck passes under pressure from Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers in the second quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004. Hasselbeck threw for 201 yards in their 23-17 win. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks Shaun Alexander (37) carries the ball under the pressure of the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter of the their NFC Championship NFL football game in Seattle, in a Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006 photo. He's the league MVP. The league rushing champion. He's also playing the last game of his Seattle contract, making him potentially the biggest plum in March's free-agent tree. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, file)
Seattle Seahawks safety Michael Boulware (28) points skyward after intercepting a pass by Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme, not shown, during the third quarter of the NFC championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006 in Seattle. At right, Carolina's Jordan Gross walks off the field. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks Shaun Alexander holds up the NFC Championship trophy as he parades on the field after defeating the Carolina Panthers 34-14 in the football game, Sunday Jan. 22, 2006, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Carolina Panthers' Dante Rosario (88) tries to break a tackle by Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson, left, during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Seattle Seahawks' Deion Branch (83) catches a touchdown pass as Carolina Panthers' Patrick Dendy (29) defends during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 13-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen (2) in action against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch runs against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) finds some running room as Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly (59), Dwan Edwards (92), Greg Hardy (76) and Haruki Nakamura (43) close in for the tackle during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. The Seahawks won 16-12. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) catches a pass in an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, October 7, 2012, in Charlotte, NC. (AP Photo/Margaret Bowles)
Seattle Seahawks' Alan Branch (99) reacts after recovering a Carolina Panthers fumble as Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) walks off during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. The Seahawks won 16-12. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers strong safety Charles Godfrey (30) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Seahawks won 12-7. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) catches the game winning touchdown pass over Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Thomas (22) and strong safety Charles Godfrey (30) during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Seahawks won 12-7. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is hit as he throws a pass by Seattle Seahawks' Benson Mayowa (95) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) huddles with teammates during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 26, 2014 in Charlotte, N.C. The Seahawks won 13-9. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (92) during an NFL football game at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 26, 2014 in Charlotte, N.C. The Seahawks won 13-9. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tries to get away from the grasp of Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Referee referee Terry McAulay tosses the coin before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, top, leaps over Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Mike Morgan (57) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) keeps the ball as he tries to get by Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Tyler Lockett runs with the ball toward a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers early in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seahawks receivers Tyler Lockett and David Moore recreate the Allen Iverson/Tyronn Lue fadeaway/stepover moment from NBA history for their celebration of Lockett's third quarter touchdown.
Seattle Seahawks' Chris Carson (32) leaps over Carolina Panthers' Eric Reid (25) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Seattle Seahawks' Bradley McDougald (30) intercepts a pass intended for Carolina Panthers' Chris Manhertz (82) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
