DETROIT—In an expected move, the Seahawks activated tight end Ed Dickson from the reserve/non-football injury list, making him eligible to play in Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.
Dickson returned to practice this week, but had not yet been added back to the 53-man roster prior to Saturday's move. Tight end Tyrone Swoopes was waived to make room on the roster.
Dickson will be making his Seahawks debut after signing with Seattle as a free agent in March. The former Carolina Panther and Baltimore Raven missed training camp due to multiple soft-tissue injuries, leading to him opening the year on the non-football injury list. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll noted that because Dickson's injuries weren't too serious, he has been able to work hard in his rehab for a while, which should help him be ready for his first game action of the season. Even so, the Seahawks might limit his workload a bit as he gets up to speed.
"We're going to be careful," Carroll said Friday. "He has worked really hard to get back and he's been probably much more so than a regular guy coming off of rehab because he's had time to do that so he's ahead of what most guys would be, conditioning-wise. We're going to monitor as we go. We've got a thought in mind but we're looking for him to be involved. We'll just see how he handles it during the game."
Whatever role Dickson has on Sunday, he's excited to show his new teammates and coaches that he can help them win games going forward.
"I haven't been around these guys and they haven't seen me play," said Dickson. "They haven't seen me go to battle, but it's familiar. Any place you're going to go, you've got to insert yourself and show them that you've got their back and they can count on me. I don't know how big my role is or small my role is going to be, but I'm competing to win. We're in the thick of things. We're going at the playoff shot. One game at a time, Coach talks about it all the time so just me being out there and me contributing, I'm happy with that role."
Swoopes, who initially signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted rookie out of Texas in 2017, was promoted from the practice squad prior to Seattle's Week 6 game in London, and saw the most significant playing time of his career, playing 42 percent of Seattle's offensive snaps. Swoopes also had the first catch of his NFL career in that win over the Raiders, a 23-yarder that helped set up Seattle's first touchdown.
The Seahawks and Lions face off on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at Ford Field. Kickoff is set for 10:00 a.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Lions.
Seattle Seahawks running back David Sims (35) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Detroit Lions in Seattle, Wash., Sept. 24, 1978. The Seahawks defeated the Lions 28-16. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders (20) fights for yardage against Seattle Seahawks' Robert Blackmon (25) during the second quarter at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., Oct. 17, 1993. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Seattle Seahawks' Sean Dawkins (81) catches a touchdown pass from Jon Kitna while being defended by Detroit Lions' Terry Fair (23) in the fourth quarter, Sunday, Sept. 12, 1999, in Seattle. Detroit won 28-20. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington is hit by Seattle Seahawks' Ken Hamlin (26) as he throws in the fourth quarter Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, in Seattle. Harrington completed 26 of 48 passes for 285 yards. The Seahawks won, 35-14. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Detroit Lions linebacker Paris Lenon, right, makes a diving tackle on Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram (84) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Lewis (59) tries stopping Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) during the first quarter of their football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Seattle Seahawks? David Hawthorne tackles Detroit Lions' Kevin Smith in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck throws against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 32-20. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) intercepts a pass intended for Detroit Lions tight end Tony Scheffler (85) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012. in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) makes a touchdown run in the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012. in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya )
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) has the ball knocked loose by Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, in Seattle. The fumble went out of bounds in the end zone and was ruled a touchback. The Seahawks beat the Lions 13-10. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Ed Dickson (84) and Detroit Lions strong safety Quandre Diggs fall into the end zone after Dickson's 12-yard touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) rushes for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football NFC wild card playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
