DK Metcalf’s reunion with his former team didn’t spark the fireworks fantasy managers anticipated. He finished 3 catches for 20 yards and a TD, with a 9-yard longest grab, as Seattle beat Pittsburgh 31-17.

Seattle’s defense stifled the Steelers’ passing game despite two cornerback absences, with Derick Hall and Byron Murphy II pressuring and Devin Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori out. Jaylen Warren provided the big play for Pittsburgh with a 65-yard catch-and-run, while Pat Freiermuth added 31 yards. Seattle’s front-seven sealed the win and shifts early-season fantasy narratives.

Seattle's 53-man cuts included two surprise interior defensive linemen exits, Brandon Pili and Quinton Bohanna, thinning a position that was already thin behind stars Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Byron Murphy II. Johnathan Hankins’ absence due to a back injury compounds the risk, leaving Seattle top-heavy and potentially vulnerable to early-season injuries. The Athletic insider’s take underscores the gamble: practice-squad depth may matter more than flash in preseason as Seattle eyes injuries and waiver moves.

Fantasy managers should watch how the Seahawks navigate this depth chart: Williams, Reed and Murphy II anchor the line, while Hankins’ status and the likelihood of Pili or Bohanna sticking on the practice squad will shape week-to-week streaming or relief options. The moves hint at a team prioritizing top-end talent and cap flexibility over immediate depth, with potential waiver claims or returns murkier than expected.