A day after Seahawks coach Pete Carroll announced that Earl Thomas’ tibia injury would be season-ending, the All-Pro free safety was placed on injured reserve, officially ending his 2016 season. The Seahawks signed safety Jeron Johnson to bolster depth at safety and also added fullback Marcel Reece. Running back George Farmer was waived to make room on the roster.
Reece, who played receiver at the University of Washington, went undrafted in 2008 and eventually signed with Oakland, where he made the switch to fullback. Reece spent most of his first two seasons on the practice squad before becoming Oakland's starting fullback in 2010, and he eventually became one of the league's best players at that position, earning Pro Bowl honors four consecutive times from 2012 to 2015, while also earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2013.
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Reece has rushed for 844 yards and three touchdowns in his career and caught 205 passes for 2,015 yards and 12 touchdowns. The addition of Reece comes in a week when Seattle's only other fullback, Will Tukuafu, is going through concussion protocol after sustaining a concussion in Sunday's win over Carolina.
Johnson returns to Seattle, where he played from 2011, when he made the team as an undrafted rookie free agent, to 2014. Johnson appeared in 46 games for the Seahawks in those four seasons, starting one, while also contributing on special teams. He signed with Washington as a free agent in 2015, then spent training camp with Kansas City this year.
With Thomas going to injured reserve, the Seahawks now have only one first round pick, rookie Germain Ifedi, on their 53-man roster, and the addition of Reece and Johnson gives Seattle 27 undrafted players on the roster.
The Seahawks also made a change to their practice squad, releasing receiver Kevin Smith and signing defensive tackle Shaneil Jenkins. Jenkins, who went undrafted out of Shepherd University, signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent, then later went to Dallas where he had two sacks and a forced fumble in two preseason games. He was placed on injured reserve by Dallas prior to the start of the season, then later waived with an injury settlement.
Take a look back at the best photos of fullback Marcel Reece, a four-time Pro Bowler who was signed Tuesday by the Seahawks.
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece (45) heads downfield during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010 in Oakland. The Colts won the game, 31-26. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece (45) takes a breather during an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 in Oakland. The Ravens won the game, 21-13. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece (45) heads downfield during an NFL game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010 in Oakland. The Texans won the game, 31-27. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece (45) sticks his tongue out during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, in Oakland. The Raiders won the game, 31-20. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece (45) breaks into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece (45) rests during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, in Oakland, Ca. The Raiders won the game, 24-20. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece (45) runs during a 30-yard touchdown-reception against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece, bottom center, celebrates with fans after scoring on a 27-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Matt McGloin during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2011, file photo, Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis. Coach Dennis Allen has firsthand knowledge of what challenges Reece can give opposing defenses because he has the speed and hands of a receiver while playing fullback for the Raiders. That's why Allen is so happy to have Reece back under contract to start learning the team's new offense. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece (45) prays during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, in Oakland. The Eagles won the game, 49-20. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece (45) runs against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece celebrates a win over the Seattle Seahawks at an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece (45) during the NFL regular season game between the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Nov. 18, 2012 in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece (45) is hit by Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore (26) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece (45) heads downfield during a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Oakland. The Raiders won the game, 19-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders running back Marcel Reece (45) celebrates after Michael Bush scored in the third quarter in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
New York Jets safety Dawan Landry, left, attempts to tackle Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Oakland Raiders full back (45) Marcel Reece in action during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA., on Sunday, December 22, 2013. (AP Photo/John Cordes)
