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Roster Move: Seahawks Reactivate Veteran RB With 3,669 Career Yards and 40 Touchdowns From Injured Reserve Ahead of Rams Game

Seattle, Washington – January 2026

The Seattle Seahawks made a critical move just days before their pivotal matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, officially reactivating veteran running back George Holani from injured reserve. The decision is widely viewed as a strategic step, signaling that Seattle is tightening every detail as it prepares to enter the game at full strength.

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Holani returns to the active roster with a proven résumé, totaling 3,669 yards from scrimmage and 40 touchdowns over his career, spanning his collegiate and professional journey. While he may not be a headline-grabbing name, Holani has long been valued for his durability, reliability, and situational awareness — traits that carry heightened importance in playoff-style football.

Seattle’s backfield has endured significant wear throughout the season, particularly down the stretch as the physical demands intensified. Holani’s return adds a downhill, contact-ready runner who protects the football, contributes in pass protection, and thrives in high-leverage moments — qualities that often define outcomes in tight postseason games.

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Holani had been sidelined since early December with a lower-body injury. However, team sources indicated that his recovery progressed smoothly over the past two weeks, and his full participation in practice earlier this week served as the final green light for his activation.

Head coach Mike Macdonald emphasized that the move represents more than a simple personnel change, pointing to the broader impact on the team’s readiness and mindset.

“His return isn’t just about adding another name to the active list — it brings completeness back to the entire system. When George is available, we gain stability, experience, and more options in the most intense moments. The Seahawks will take the field at 100 percent strength, with no missing pieces, ready to play the kind of football that defines who we are.”

While Holani is not expected to immediately assume a featured role, his presence significantly expands Seattle’s tactical flexibility, particularly in short-yardage situations, clock management, and protecting late-game leads. Against a Rams defense known for applying pressure and forcing mistakes, those margins could prove decisive.

This will be the third meeting between the Seahawks and Rams this season, after each team successfully defended its home field during the regular season. With the series evenly split, the upcoming game serves as a definitive tiebreaker — one where depth, health, and composure may ultimately determine the outcome.

By reactivating George Holani, the Seahawks are sending a clear message ahead of kickoff: they are not chasing splashy headlines, but prioritizing completeness, reliability, and the ability to win in the harshest moments of the season.

 

Rams Make Important Decision by Tendering Three Exclusive Rights Free Agents, Strengthening Roster Depth for the 2026 Season
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams have made an important move to strengthen their depth for the 2026 season by tendering three exclusive rights free agents (ERFAs), including wide receiver/punt returner Xavier Smith, kicker Harrison Mevis, and offensive lineman Justin Dedich. Exclusive rights free agents are players with fewer than three accrued seasons and expired contracts. By offering them a one-year deal at the NFL minimum salary, the Rams ensure these players cannot negotiate with other teams. For the Rams, keeping these players is key as they continue shaping their roster for the upcoming season. Among the three, Xavier Smith’s return is perhaps the most notable. While he showed flashes of potential as a deep threat at wide receiver, Smith’s most memorable moment came in the NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks, where a muffed punt deep in Rams territory allowed Seattle to take control of the game. Despite this costly mistake, the Rams have decided to bring him back at the NFL veteran minimum. Smith remains the favorite to handle punt return duties in 2026, and with improvements to his special teams play, he could still make an impact in the return game and at wide receiver. “Xavier brings energy to the special teams unit,” said a Rams staff member. “He’s got all the tools, but it’s about minimizing mistakes moving forward.” Harrison Mevis, who had an impressive rookie season with the Rams, is expected to continue as the team’s primary kicker. While he wasn’t entrenched in the position last year — with Josh Karty initially leading — Mevis’ strong first-year performance has earned him the edge to maintain kicking duties moving forward. The Rams may still bring in competition to ensure depth at the position, but Mevis looks poised to solidify his spot. As for Justin Dedich, he remains an important depth piece along the interior offensive line. While Dedich hasn’t established himself as a full-time starter, his value as a versatile backup cannot be overstated. The 2024 draft pick has made 9 starts and played in 29 games over his first two seasons, providing reliable depth for the Rams’ line. This move signals that the Rams are prioritizing stability and continuity while continuing to build a competitive roster. The franchise will now look to bolster their team even further in the upcoming free agency period. With the 2026 season just around the corner, the Rams are taking the necessary steps to ensure they have the right mix of experience and youth on their roster as they look to contend for another championship.