In addition to adding veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney, whose signing became official Wednesday, the Seahawks could be getting more defensive line help soon from defensive end Dion Jordan. Jordan, a free-agent signing this offseason, opened the year on the non-football injury list, but will return to practice this week.
Jordan, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 draft, has not appeared in a game since 2014 due to suspension and injury. His return to practice doesn't mean Jordan will play in games immediately. Players coming off the non-football injury list or physically unable to perform list can practice for three weeks without counting against the 53-man roster limit, so while Jordan can be added to the roster at any time, the Seahawks don't have to make that decision right away. After three weeks, Jordan will have to be added to the 53-man roster or be out for the remainder of the season.
"Really excited for Dion," Seattle head coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday. "It's been a long haul for him to get back out. He's worked really hard, his mind has been at it the whole time. He's been in the meetings, he's studied, he's ready to go, so today was the first chance we had. He's in the walk thru and then we're going to ease him in, just bring him along and work with him after practice today some to make sure that he's making some progress, and then a couple weeks from now we'll see where he is. He's been working really hard conditioning-wise, but now it's time to get after football and start pushing on big bodies and all that. So it's really exciting for him. This is what (Seahawks general manager) John (Schneider) pictured a long time ago when we got this hooked up, that it would take a while and we might have something really special, so we'll see what happens."
When Jordan is ready to see game action, Carroll said the Oregon product's versatility allows him to line up at muiltiple spots, but he'd primarily be used as a defensive end in Seattle's system.
"I have watched all of his film and what he's done in the League and he's played all over the place," Carroll said. "He's played from defensive end, inside pass rusher, he's been a movement guy, spinner type of guy in pass rushes, he's been an outside backer at times, so he has tremendous versatility. He's a little heavier than he was at certain times in his years. He's really strong right now, he's really fit right now. So, I see him as a defensive end in our system right now that has the versatility to move inside some. He's a really good all-around athlete. Miami dropped him in space and did some cover things with him as well. We'll just wait and see how that works out, but we know all of that and we can go there when we want to. Right now it's just get his hand in the ground, come off the ball, run into some people — he's been running into strength and conditioning coaches with pads and stuff, and they're tough, but not that tough — so it's just a process. We'll see how it goes."
Additionally, defensive tackle Rodney Coe was signed to the practice squad. The Seahawks released cornerback Tyvis Powell from the practice squad Tuesday. Coe, who is 6-foot-3, 315 pounds, spent training camp and the preseason with the Seahawks before being waived during the cut-down to 53 players.
Take a look at some of the best images from Seahawks newly acquired Defensive End Dwight Freeney's career.Â
Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, left, and Colts first-round draft pick Dwight Freeney pose prior to a news conference in Indianapolis, Saturday, April 20, 2002. Freeney, a defensive end from Syracuse, was the 11th overall pick in Saturday's NFL draft. (AP Photo/John Harrell)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) reacts following a sack during an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. Indianapolis won 38-14. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Billy Volek, top, is sacked by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney in the fourth quarter in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2004. Volek was sacked seven times in the game, three by Freeney. The Colts defeated the Titans, 51-24. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts' Dwight Freeney (93) sacks Houston Texans quarterback David Carr (8) during the first quarter Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004, in Houston. The Colts beat the Texans, 23-14. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts forces a fumble by Drew Brees during 3rd-quarter action against the San Diego Chargers at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 18, 2005. The Chargers won 26-17. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Defensive end Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts pressures quarterback Mark Brunell #8 of the Washington Redskins at the RCA Dome on October 22, 2006 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts beat the Redskins 36-22. (AP Photo/David Stluka)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard (9) is sacked by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Jaguars 14-12. (AP Photo/Tom Strattman)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) celebrates a sack in front of defensive end Robert Mathis in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against San Francisco 49ers in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. The Colts defeated the 49ers 18-14. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) beats New York Jets offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson (60) during an NFL game on December 27, 2009. Jets defeated the Colts 29-15. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) while being defended by teammate Jermon Bushrod (74) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl XLIV football game in Miami, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) in action during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans in Indianapolis, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) makes a move during the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl football game between the AFC All-Stars and the NFC All-Stars on Sunday, January 29, 2012 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The AFC won the game 59-41. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dwight Freeney looks on from the sidelines in action against the St. Louis Rams during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 in St. Louis. The Cardinals won, 27-3. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Dwight Freeney (93) rushes the quarterback in the second quarter while blocked by Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith (77) during the NFL week 4 football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 30-21. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Defensive end Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts rushes the line during an AFC Divisional Playoff NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Colts won 38-31 on Jan. 11, 2004. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 22: Defensive end Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts sacks quarterback Quinn Gray #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the end zone for a safety at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on October 22, 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Colts defeated the Jaguars 29-7. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks to pass under pressure from San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Dwight Freeney during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 8, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
