Seahawks: 24 cuts, 2 trades to reach 53-man limit

The Seahawks reached the mandatory 53-man roster limit Saturday by making two dozen cuts and two trades, notably severing ties with G Jahri Evans, FB Will Takaufu, DT Jordan Hill and rookie RB Troymaine Pope, while acquiring a pair of safeties, Dewey McDonald and L.J. McCray, in trades with Oakland and San Francisco, respectively.

For now, and keeping in mind things are subject to change between now and the Sept. 11 home opener against the Miami Dolphins, Trevone Boykin remains Russell Wilson’s backup, despite an inconsistent preseason and a poor performance in the final exhibition game against Oakland.

McDonald, acquired for an undisclosed draft pick, is a third-year safety who has played 15 career games with Indianapolis, New England and Oakland. He attended the University of California (PA.) and came out of school undrafted.

McCray, who went undrafted out of Catawba (NC) in 2014, played 22 games for San Frnacisco the past two seasons and was used almost entirely on special teams. The Seahawks acquired him for an undisclosed draft pick.

As usual, the Seahawks got younger: They kept 14 rookies, including six undrafted free agents. Saturday’s cuts:

• Terminated veteran contracts: G Jahri Evans, FB Will Tukuafu.

• Waived: DT Brandin Bryant, TE Clayton Echard, QB Jake Heaps, LB Steve Longa, WR Douglas McNeill III, WR E.Z. Nwachukwu, WR Kasen Williams, RB Troymaine Pope, G/C Will Pericak, WR Antwan Goodley, DE Tylor Harris, S Keenan Lambert, WR Kenny Lawler, LB Kache Palacio, DE Ryan Robinson, CB Tye Smith, DT Tani Tupou.

• Waived/injured: TE Joe Sommers, CB Marcus Burley, DT Jordan Hill, LB Eric Pinkins, T Terry Poole.

• Waived/ injury settlements: RB George Farmer, CB Trevon Reed, WR Kevin Smith, DT Sealver Siliga.

Evans was a six-time Pro Bowler with the Saints who signed a one-year contract with Seattle in August valued at $1.06 million ($80,000 guaranteed). He was expected to compete for a starting job at right guard, but the 33-year-old could not dislodge rookie Germain Ifedi, nor could he serve as a backup at more than one position, almost mandatory for Seattle’s reserves.

Tukuafu signed with the Seahawks last week. Last year, he played in 14 games (one start) and scored two touchdowns, one rushing, one receiving. The Seahawks do not have a fullback on the roster and might bring him back after Week 1.

Hill started for the Seahawks as a rookie during their Super Bowl-winning year (2013). He played in 27 games, making one start, but constantly battled injuries.

Pope, a preseason star, remains an obvious candidate for the practice squad.

Among the surprises: Cornerback DeAndre Elliott, an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State, beat out veteran Marcus Burley and 2015 sixth-round pick Tye Smith. Tanner McEvoy, another undrafted free agent, made the team as its fifth wide receiver. George Fant, a left tackle project, made the roster as well.

The Seahawks reportedly are going to try out four long snappers — John DePalma, Reid Ferguson, Tyler Ott and Jeff Overbaugh — in the next few days. But for now, the 53-man roster looks like this:

QB (2): Russell Wilson, Trevone Boykin.

RB (4): Thomas Rawls, Christine Michael, C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins.

WR (5): Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett, Paul Richardson, Tanner McEvoy.

LT (2): Bradley Sowell, George Fant.

LG (2): Mark Glowinski, Rees Odhiambo.

C (2): Justin Britt, Joey Hunt.

RG (1): Germain Ifedi.

RT (2): Gary Gilliam, J’Marcus Webb.

TE (4): Jimmy Graham, Luke Willson, Brandon Williams, Nick Vannett.

LEO (2): Cliff Avril, Cassius Marsh.

3T (2): Ahtyba Rubin, Tony McDaniel.

NT (2): Jarran Reed, Justin Hamilton.

5T (3): Michael Bennett, Frank Clark, Quinton Jefferson.

SLB (1): Mike Morgan.

MLB (2): Bobby Wagner, Brock Coyle.

WLB (2): K.J. Wright, Kevin Pierre-Louis.

CB (6): Richard Sherman, Jeremy Lane, DeShawn Shead, Tharold Simon, DeAndre Elliott, Tyvis Powell.

FS (3): Earl Thomas, Steven Terrell, L.J. McCray.

SS (3): Kam Chancellor, Kelcie McCray, Dewey McDonald.

ST (3): Steven Hauschka, Jon Ryan, Nolan Frese.