Seahawks waive RB Anthony Hankerson, trimming their 90-man roster

Seattle has waived running back Anthony Hankerson, a move the team made on Monday as it continues to shape its 90-man preseason roster. The Seahawks’ decision opens up a roster spot and indicates that Hankerson will no longer be part of Seattle’s immediate camp group unless he clears waivers and re-signs, or another club claims him.

Hankerson’s time with the Seahawks began last week, when he signed as an undrafted rookie. According to the team’s announcement, he was waived Monday, which places him on the league’s waiver wire and gives other teams a chance to add him to their own preseason rosters.

In practical terms, NFL waiver moves like this one are tied to the league’s offseason and training-camp roster limits. Teams must reduce from the offseason 90-man limit toward smaller regular-season roster sizes, so even players who are brought in shortly before or during camp can be moved quickly as coaches refine their evaluations at multiple positions.

For Seattle, the waiver is also part of the broader balancing act of building a running-back room that fits what the Seahawks want to do on offense. Even when a player is not kept through the next cut, the waiver transaction can still be viewed as part of the team’s willingness to take swings in camp, using short, low-commitment opportunities to see which newcomers can handle playbooks, protection responsibilities, and special-teams expectations.

The Seahawks’ release of an undrafted rookie also underscores the thin margin for non-roster players during this stretch. Veteran backs and established contributors usually have more track records and clearer roles, while players who arrive late are often fighting for depth snaps, situational work, and versatility that can justify a roster spot before final preseason numbers are finalized.

It is also worth noting that a waiver does not automatically end a player’s path with an organization. If Hankerson goes unclaimed, teams sometimes re-sign players who fit their offseason plans or who were on the edge of making the cut. Conversely, if claimed, the situation shifts immediately, with the claiming team determining how it will use him in preseason and whether he can earn a longer look.

What to watch next is straightforward. Seattle will continue its roster work after Monday’s move, and the fate of Hankerson will hinge on whether he draws interest on waivers. If he clears, he could resurface in another form with Seattle. If another team claims him, the story becomes one of how quickly he can assimilate and whether he can secure meaningful reps as camps progress.