The Seattle Seahawks claimed quarterback Jacob Eason off waivers on Wednesday, just a day after he was waived by the Indianapolis Colts.
The fourth-round pick out of Washington in 2020, Eason appeared in one game this season. He completed 2 of 5 attempts for 25 yards and an interception while replacing the previously injured Carson Wentz in Week 2. The Colts waived him after clearing the rookie quarterback Sam Ehlinger off the injured reserve.
Eason is set to join his hometown team to help its quarterback numbers while Russell Wilson recovers from finger surgery.
The Seahawks lost Wilson to a finger injury on his throwing hand in a Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Wilson underwent surgery on his middle finger and was placed on the injured reserve last Friday.
The Seahawks’ backup quarterback, Geno Smith, led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to keep the game close, but a late interception sealed the Rams’ win.
Last week, Smith lost his first NFL start since 2017 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As he did against the Rams, Smith played well overall but was foiled by another costly turnover in a 23-20 loss.
Eason and Smith are the only two quarterbacks on the Seahawks’ active roster. They have it hard as they prepare for a Monday night home game against the New Orleans Saints. On the other note, there are two more quarterbacks, Jake Luton and Danny Etling, on Seattle’s practice squad.
Luton, who was signed before the season opener, was promoted from the practice squad to back up Smith in Seattle’s overtime loss to the Steelers. Since then he has reverted to the practice squad and can be promoted one more time before the Seahawks would have to sign him to their 53-man roster to have him available to play.
The Seahawks have had an open roster spot ever since last week when they waived cornerback Tre Flowers. This gave them an open spot for Eason and did not have to accommodate a spot for him on the 53-man roster.
