Kitna In Line For Spot Onpractice Squad Erickson Impressed With Rookie Quarterback From Central Washington University

Jon Kitna is used to throwing comeback routes. The rookie quarterback could end up running one.

The free agent from Central Washington University and Tacoma’s Lincoln High School was one of nine players waived by the Seahawks on Sunday. Unlike the others, Kitna could return by being signed to the practice squad next week.

“Jon is a candidate for the practice squad,” coach Dennis Erickson said. “That’s why we signed him.”

Kitna must first clear waivers, meaning he is not claimed by another team in next 24 hours. Then he must be among the top five rookies or first-year players in terms of potential.

Erickson sounds as if that part won’t be a problem.

“Jon has great potential,” Erickson said. “He just needs to spend some time around the pro game. He can do that on the practice squad. He’s got a chance to be a player in this league.”

Also waived: defensive end Johnie Church, a seventh-round draft choice this year; wide receiver Manley Woods, who spent last year on the practice squad; linebackers Willie Brown and Henry Newby; cornerback Sean Crocker; running back Jimmy Gary; defensive tackle Kelvin Ingram; and strong safety C.J. Richardson.

Wide receiver Eddie Goines, who had reconstructive surgery on his left knee two weeks ago, was placed on injured reserved.

Sunday’s moves leave the Seahawks with six more cuts to make by Tuesday to reach the NFL’s mandatory limit of 60 players. Linebacker John Solomon, who has been sidelined with a thigh injury, is expected to be one of them.

Erickson said he still is debating a couple of the moves.

Cornerback Nate Odomes, who saw his first action in 32 months in Saturday night’s preseason game at Indianapolis, passed the first major test in his quest to return from having two reconstructive surgeries on his left knee.

The next step - Sunday’s final cut to the 53-man roster - will be more difficult.

“So far, he’s still here,” Erickson said. “Nate played OK. We played coverages that helped him. But I thought he moved around OK. We’ve just got to see how he improves this week, as far as his physical ability to move and play. When it gets down to the final decision next week, we’ve got to weigh everything that’s involved.”

Sunday’s cuts, which included no surprises and nothing but third-string players, leave the Seahawks overloaded at several positions heading into Friday night’s game against the 49ers at the Kingdome:

—Wide receiver - Nine remain, but only six or seven will be kept.

—Offensive line - Twelve remain, but only nine will make the 53-man roster.

—Tight end/fullback - Seven remain, but only five or six will survive.

—Defensive backs - Eleven remain, but only eight or nine make the final roster.

Another tough decision is whether to carry Tom Fletcher as the deep snapper, or use center Kevin Mawae on field goals and PATs and linebacker Jason Kyle on punts. Mawae had one low snap against the Colts and Kyle did not snap as well as the week before, Erickson said.

“We’ve got a good snapper in Fletcher,” Erickson said. “We just have to make a decision on what we’re going to do there.”