second stringer

Often, one season does not make a player, which Seattle cornerback Riq Woolen’s demotion to second-stringer is demonstrating.

His future with the club has been unclear at best since the Vikings re-signed his backup, Alexander Mattison, to a two-year, $7 million contract seen as too luxurious for a second-stringer.

Tagovailoa stood on the sideline for the first series of the game as second-stringer Billy Edwards Jr. trotted out with the starters.

Added Lockett, who spoke to Smith’s seven years as second-stringer: “The things that he’s experienced, the things that he’s overcome — drives like this, that’s probably nothing to him from what he’s overcome.”

No longer is he a second-stringer who the Seahawks are forced to start.