Daniels says waiver grab not payback

SEATTLE – When the Seahawks claimed rookie quarterback B.J. Daniels off waivers from the 49ers on Wednesday, it was hard for many observers to resist the notion that it was simply another salvo in the battle of the two heated NFC West rivals.

Maybe, some wondered, the Seahawks were getting some payback for the 49ers claiming receiver Chris Harper off waivers earlier this year.

Daniels, though, said Thursday during his first full day with the team that any notion the Seahawks had interest in him for any reason other than his quarterback potential is false.

“I don’t agree with that at all, honestly, because in the draft process, I had Seattle come and work me out as a private workout,’’ said Daniels. “So this is one of the places I thought I was potentially going to get drafted.’’

Daniels, who played at South Florida, was taken in the seventh round by the 49ers, where he was impressive during the exhibition season and made the team as a third quarterback behind Colin Kaepernick and Colt McCoy. In exhibition games, he completed 13 of 21 passes for 178 yards and ran for 87 yards.

Daniels had played well for the 49ers and seemed a perfect fit for the team’s offense, which left some scratching their heads when he was cut by San Francisco this week. The 49ers signed veteran John Skelton to take his place as a third quarterback.

Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers coach, told Bay Area reporters later the team hoped to be able to re-sign Daniels to the practice squad.

Instead, Seattle signed him to its active roster, giving the Seahawks three quarterbacks. The team has often gone with two during the Pete Carroll era and seemed comfortable doing so again this year with Russell Wilson and Tarvaris Jackson.

Daniels said he was as caught off guard when he was let go by the 49ers.

“It was a surprise to me,’’ he said. “I didn’t know what to expect.’’

Daniels said he was “thankful and appreciative’’ that Seattle signed him. And he also quashed another notion that made the rounds on social media – that the Seahawks might want him so they could learn more about San Francisco’s playbook.

“That’s all overrated,’’ he said. “It doesn’t help at all anyway, to be honest with you. It’s just one of those big, running jokes that doesn’t really mean a whole lot.’’

At 5-foot-11, 217 pounds and with the ability to pass and run (he gained 2,068 yards on the ground during his college career), Daniels has drawn comparisons to Wilson (who is 5-11, 206 pounds).

Daniels got a lot of attention when he played the role of Wilson during 49ers practices in advance of San Francisco’s game against Seattle last month (a contest the Seahawks won 29-3).

“He (Wilson) was a guy I definitely watched,’’ Daniels said. “There were a lot of great, athletic quarterbacks that I paid attention to and try to take bits and pieces from everyone to try to help out my game. I’ve learned some things from Kap, and now being here just trying to look ahead and see if I can learn anything from Russell or T-Jack, as well.’’

Injury updates

When the Seahawks released their injury list following Thursday’s practice, it included a new name – starting tight end Zach Miller.

Miller was listed as sitting out practice due to a hamstring injury. He had not been listed on Wednesday’s injury report.

Pete Carroll did not speak after practice, as usual on Thursdays, so there was no word on whether Miller will be able to play Sunday at Indianapolis.

Miller leads Seattle’s tight ends with eight catches for 76 yards and also has a vital role blocking.

Also out were three players who were also out Wednesday – OT Breno Giacomini (knee), FB Spencer Ware (ankle) and CB Jeremy Lane (hamstring).

Listed as having limited participation were center Max Unger (arm) and CB Walter Thurmond (shoulder).