Seahawks release Edgerrin James

Edgerrin James made history Sunday in Dallas, gaining 3 yards on his final carry to move into 10th place in NFL history in career rushing yardage.

His three-month Seahawks career became history on Tuesday.

Seattle terminated James' contract after seven games, a decision made in hopes of jump-starting a languishing run game by opening up more opportunities for Justin Forsett and Louis Rankin behind starter Julius Jones.

James is replaced on the active roster by wide receiver Mike Hass, who was signed from the practice squad. Hass was added as a precaution in case Ben Obomanu — a Seahawks special-teams mainstay — is limited this week by an injury to his oblique.

Seattle also waived safety C.J. Wallace, a big-hitting special-teams player recently sidelined by a hamstring injury. He was replaced at safety by Jamar Adams, a second-year player signed from the practice squad.

James, 31, is in his 11th NFL season. Seattle signed him in August, believing veteran T.J. Duckett had become too much of a short-yardage specialist and wasn't capable of filling in should Jones be injured. Seattle turned to James, signing him to a one-year contract with a base salary of $1 million.

As the backup, James carried the ball every third possession or so, and in seven games gained 125 yards, averaging 2.7 yards per carry, the lowest of his career. Of his 46 runs, 23 gained 2 yards or fewer and his longest run went for 10 yards.

Backup running back has been an expensive position for the Seahawks the past two years. Duckett was paid a $2 million signing bonus in 2008 and another $2 million roster bonus this year. He rushed for 172 yards as a short-yardage specialist last year and scored eight touchdowns.

If James passes unclaimed through waivers, Seattle will owe him his entire salary of $1 million.

Seattle has paid more than $5 million these two years for a pair of veteran backup running backs who did not run for 300 yards combined.

James gained 17 yards Sunday in the loss at Dallas. James has rushed for 12,246 yards in his career, 33 yards behind Marshall Faulk for No. 9 all-time.

Attempts to reach James and his agent were unsuccessful Tuesday. Coach Jim Mora will be available to talk about the decision to part ways with James this morning.

The move likely opens up opportunities for Rankin, a running back the Seahawks signed from Oakland earlier this season. Rankin, who played at Washington, was promoted from the practice squad last week to keep another team from signing him.

Forsett is also an option. He has been the team's third-down back this season, but struggled Sunday in Dallas, losing a fumble on Seattle's half of the field in the first quarter.

Note

• Seattle added three players to its practice squad: RB Devin Moore, who was with the team earlier this year, CB Trae Williams and CB DeAngelo Willingham.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com