The Seahawks added depth to their secondary ahead of Monday's game at Chicago, promoting safety Shalom Luani from their practice squad. Defensive tackle Tom Johnson was released to make room on the 53-man roster.
Luani, who played at Washington State University, was initially acquired in a trade with Oakland prior to the start of the season. He was waived earlier this week then signed to the practice squad. Luani adds needed depth at safety with Delano Hill, who is also a key special teams player, listed as doubtful because of a hamstring injury.
Johnson, who signed with the Seahawks as a free agent, started at defensive tackle in the season opener and played 53-percent of the defensive snaps. As a vested veteran, Johnson will not be subject to waivers. With a healthier roster in Week 1, the Seahawks did have two defensive tackles inactive on gameday, Nazair Jones and Poona Ford, so depth is currently better at that spot than some others on defense that are dealing with injuries.
"Because of what happened with the numbers, we had to do something and make a move," Seattle head coach Pete Carroll said Saturday before the team took off for Chicago. "So we had to figure which was the best way for us over the long haul of this thing. Tom did a great job for us, we love him, and we hated to have to separate like that. He's a good ball player."
Asked if there's a chance Johnson could return to the club this season, Carroll said, "Yeah, there definitely could be a chance for that."
