Defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer, a former first-round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers, has been released by the Seahawks.
Running back Vai Taua was re-signed to fill Balmer’s spot on the 90-man roster. Taua was signed Aug. 14, but then released Monday. The rookie free agent from Nevada rushed for 15 yards on two carries in Saturday night’s preseason home opener against the Vikings.
Balmer was acquired in a trade with the 49ers last August and started 11 games during the regular season and both playoff games because of injuries to end Red Bryant and tackle Brandon Mebane – they were the first starts of Balmer’s three-year NFL career. He finished with 43 tackles, including a career-high eight against the Giants in Week 9.
But Balmer, who did not play against the Vikings, became expendable because the Seahawks signed Alan Branch and Jimmy Wilkerson in free agency last month. Branch is starting as the three-technique tackle, while Wilkerson can play that spot as well as at the five-technique end – the two positions where Balmer filled in last season.
