The Seattle Seahawks needed someone to step up from a young group of receivers when Percy Harvin was forced to undergo hip surgery earlier this month.
Jermaine Kearse has answered the bell.
On top of an already strong showing in training camp, Kearse has accounted for three touchdowns in six quarters of action for the Seahawks this preseason. Kearse scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Brady Quinn in last week’s preseason opener against the San Diego Chargers. Saturday night against the Denver Broncos, Kearse caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson and followed up with a 107-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on his first return opportunity with the team.
Kearse spent time on the practice squad early last season before being activated to the 53-man roster and appearing in seven games for Seattle. He made one start and caught three passes for 31 yards in mainly special teams action a season ago. Kearse appears to have locked himself into a roster spot for the Seahawks along with Sidney Rice, Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin.
Harvin is expected to remain on the physically unable to perform list.