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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Tuten’s Bootin’ Pays Off

John Clayton Tacoma News Tribune

For months, Josh Miller heard tales about the strong right leg of punter Rick Tuten.

Though it negatively affects Miller’s job security, the former Canadian Football League all-star still watched a kicking show Sunday. Tuten, a former Pro Bowler, strutted onto the practice field for about 150 punts that headed toward the clouds that blew over the practice field.

“My first punt had a hang time of 5.43 (seconds), then it just went from there,” Tuten said. “It’s a bad situation. He (Miller) wants to earn a living at something he likes to do. I do, too. I’m just glad I’ve done it well enough that the Seahawks would give me one more chance.”

Tuten signed a two-year, $750,000 contract in which he had to take a pay cut from last season. Despite that disappointment, Tuten arrived with a mission. Normally, a 5-second hang time is considered good.

Thanks to a new adjustment in the way he drops the ball, Tuten, who owns about every Seahawks punting record, is kicking better than ever.

“I had two 5.6s, and a 5.5,” Tuten said of his hang times. “I’ve changed a little something in the off-season. So far, it’s paying off. We’ll see what happens in games. If I get under five (in hang time) now, I’m pretty mad.”

To make room for Tuten on the roster, Seattle placed defensive lineman Keif Bryant on the injured reserve list for the season. They’ve also waived injured linebacker Tyronne Stowe, who is out for the season with a broken arm.

Unlucky break

Backup linebacker John Solomon was added to the injury list because of a pulled muscle. He is expected to miss 10 days to two weeks, which should kill his chance of making the 53-man roster.

The Seahawks still have 10 linebackers in camp, but only eight are healthy. Outside linebacker James Logan is out until after the regular-season opener, healing from a broken leg.

Injury updates

Fourth-round choice Phillip Daniels (ankle) and halfback Dou Innocent (broken right index finger) returned to practice. Erickson isn’t sure that the cast on Innocent’s hand would allow him to successfully catch passes, but he needs to see how the halfback can do on coverage teams.

Guard Pete Kendall missed practice with a calf injury. He might be able to practice today.

Defensive end Matt LaBounty had fluid drained from his left knee Saturday, but practiced.