Seahawks trim roster to 53

Josh Brown was such a key component to the Seattle Seahawks that it took two kickers to replace him.

When the Seahawks announced their 22 moves to trim down to a 53-man roster Saturday, no kickers were on the list. Veteran Olindo Mare and rookie Brandon Coutu both survived.

Six running backs made the final roster, including rookie Justin Forsett and veteran T.J. Duckett. The group also includes Julius Jones, Maurice Morris, Leonard Weaver and Owen Schmitt.

On the defensive line, the Seahawks kept 10 players, due in part to the one-game suspension of defensive tackle Rocky Bernard. He was one of five defensive tackles who made the team, along with Brandon Mebane, Craig Terrill, Howard Green and rookie Red Bryant. The Seahawks decided to keep five ends as well, including both Jason Babin and Baraka Atkins.

Among the defensive linemen who were cut was veteran Larry Tripplett, a former NFL starter who played at the University of Washington.

The positions that got clipped included receiver, where only six players were kept after Ben Obomanu was placed on injured reserve with a broken clavicle bone. Rookie Michael Bumpus from Washington State was also among the cuts, leaving the Seahawks with just four healthy receivers: Nate Burleson, Courtney Taylor, Jordan Kent and Logan Payne.

Bumpus could reemerge on the practice squad that will be finalized Monday.

The Seahawks also have receivers Bobby Engram and Deion Branch on the roster, but both of them are trying to come back from significant injuries. Coach Mike Holmgren said Friday night that Branch could resume practicing this week after being out seven months because of surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Engram is nursing a broken shoulder and should miss three or four games.

Seattle also kept just six linebackers, one fewer than usual. Dallas Sartz was cut, leaving the team with starters Julian Peterson, Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill to go along with reserves D.D. Lewis, Lance Laury and David Hawthorne.