In a surprise move Wednesday afternoon, the Seahawks released cornerback Perrish Cox a day after they signed the former 49ers cornerback. They promoted cornerback DeShawn Shead from the practice squad to the active roster and signed cornerback Akeem Auguste to the practice squad. But with CB Brandon Browner’s status still unclear, the Seahawks have only four cornerbacks for the Monday night game against New Orleans.
The roster vacancy was created when CB Walter Thurmond was suspended Tuesday for four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. The Seahawks were anticipating a second blow from a Browner suspension for a similar violation, and hired Cox, who was cut by the 49ers Nov. 12.
But Browner, according to multiple media reports, appealed his suspension Wednesday, claiming that he was not a stage-three offender of the NFL’s policy. Browner had a violation when he played with the Denver Broncos in 2006. But he played in the Canadian Football League from 2007-10. Apparently, Brown had another positive test this season.
During his time in Canada, he apparently missed a mandatory drug test. NFL rules say that as long as he was pursuing NFL work and a part of the players association, he was subject to the testing rules, even if he was working elsewhere. Until the appeal is ruled upon, Browner is not suspended and there is no roster vacancy.
He is, however, unavailable to the Seahawks due to injury — a groin muscle torn in the Nov. 10 Atlanta game. If he is not suspended and not on injured reserve, he could return to action as soon as health permits, which is not anticipated for two or three more weeks.
Browner is obviously eager to have his phase-three suspension reduced to a phase-two, which is typically only four games, the punishment delivered to Thurmond.
Shead signed with Seattle as an undrafted rookie free agent April 28, 2012. He was released after training camp and signed to the team’s practice squad, where he stayed until being signed to the active roster Dec. 5.
He finished the 2012 season inactive for the final four games and both postseason games. He has spent the first 12 weeks of the 2013 season on the practice squad.
Auguste joins Seattle after spending training camp with the Cleveland Browns.
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That’s odd that the Seahawks would release Cox so quickly. I wonder if they did a little more research into his sexual assault trial and went “Oooops.”
Four CB’s going into the MNF game against the passing machine known as Drew Brees. Don’t be surprised if Earl Thomas plays CB for a few plays.
It’s just a sorry state of affairs when Browner’s best hope to continue his career is to have his penalty reduced to another four game suspension. Here’s a thought: when players do this they have to stand before fans and explain themselves. Picture him or Thurmond standing before season ticket holders and hearing from them. When they put their uniforms on, when they sign their contracts they aren’t just Seahawk players. They’re SEATTLE Seahawk players. They represent the Seattle community and that community has faithfully supported the Seahawks over the years. They stood in front of the moving trucks that Ken Behring brought in to Kirkland. They’ve had a number retired in their honor. You take your place as a Seahawk for granted and it’s not going to go over well with those fans. It would never happen but if fans could have a few moments to voice their thoughts it would be fair. I hope at least Paul Allen got to wag the finger at both Browner and Thurmond.