Seahawks release Bannister, others

That glut at wide receiver the Seahawks were facing heading into the rest of their offseason has thinned out a bit now that the team released two receivers, including Alex Bannister, a former Pro Bowl special-teams player.

The moves were announced Friday and involved a total of three players.

Bannister, a fifth-round draft pick in 2001, was severely hampered by a broken right collarbone that limited him to seven games in 2004 and only two last season before going on injured reserve Sept. 20.

In five seasons with Seattle, he played in 57 games with four starts and had nine career catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.

Bannister made the NFC Pro Bowl squad as its special-teams standout in 2003. He had 18 special-teams tackles to lead the Seahawks that year but could not stay consistently healthy in subsequent seasons.

The team also parted ways with wide receiver Jerheme Urban, an undrafted free agent who made the team in 2003 and went from the practice squad to getting serious playing time in relief of injured teammates in 2004 and 2005.

Urban had career totals of 11 games (two starts), 13 catches for 268 yards and one touchdown.

Urban had problems overcoming a stress fracture in his left foot, which on Nov. 8 of last season led to his apparent release.

Just as Urban was about to leave town and head back home to Texas, the Seahawks called and asked him back. He was then placed on injured reserve two days later, mainly as a reward for his work ethic.

The team also released undrafted free agent Garrett McIntyre, a defensive tackle who was signed after this year's draft.

Seattle added Nate Burleson to its wide-receiver corps in the offseason through free agency.

Free agents Keenan Howry and Skyler Fulton, plus veteran Taco Wallace and rookie draft pick Ben Obomanu figure to compete for a roster spot, among others.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com