Injuries hit the Seahawks at safety harder in 2016 than they have in the past, with Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas missing a combined 11 games, postseason included. On Wednesday, the Seahawks made a move to add depth to that position, signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter Bradley McDougald.
McDougald, 26, has started 31 games over the past two seasons, and last year had a career-best 91 tackles, 10 passes defensed and two interceptions, one of which came against the Seahawks in Week 12.
McDougald went undrafted out of Kansas in 2013 and originally signed with Kansas City, appearing in one game with the Chiefs before being waived and claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay. McDougald appeared in 15 games in 2014, starting five of them, then became a regular starter the following season, starting all but one game over the past two years.
Seattle's top backup safeties from last season, Kelcie McCray and Steven Terrell, are both currently free agents.
The Seahawks also added to their kicker competition on Wednesday, signing John Lunsford, who inked a futures contract with the Buccaneers this past January but was waived earlier this week. The 23-year-old specialist joined the 49ers as an undrafted rookie free agent last summer and played in three preseason games for San Francisco.
Lunsford, a Liberty product, joins former Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh at the spot in Seattle, with longtime Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka signing with the Buffalo Bills in free agency earlier this month.
Take a look back at safety Bradley McDougald's first five years in the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs free safety Bradley McDougald (48) works out during NFL football training camp in St. Joseph, Mo., Saturday, July 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Kansas City Chiefs free safety Bradley McDougald (48) is introduced before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bradley McDougald, #49, runs through some pre game drills before the game against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis MO., Sunday, December 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McGinnis)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (49) is seen during pre-game ceremonies of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Bradley McDougald (30) runs upfield on special teams during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, September 18, 2014. The Falcons defeated the Buccaneers 56-14 during Week 3 at the Georgia Dome. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) celebrates with fans after a 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Bradley McDougald (30) intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kenny Stills (84) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Safety Bradley McDougald (30) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stretches to tackle tight end Jimmy Graham (80) of the New Orleans Saints December 28, 2014 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Saints won the final game of the regular season 23 - 20. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Bradley McDougald (30) warms up prior to the start of a NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, December 28, 2014 in Tampa. The Saints won the game 23-20. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Safety Bradley McDougald (30) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers takes the field for play against the Cincinnati Bengals August 24, 2015 at Raymond James stadium in Tampa. The Buccaneers won 25 - 11 in the second week of pre-season play. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Bradley McDougald (30) encourages the crowd during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Tampa, Fla., Monday, Aug. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) looks on during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, September 13, 2015 in Tampa. The Titans defeated the Buccaneers 42-14. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Bradley McDougald (30) lines up in the secondary during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Sunday, October 25, 2015. The Redskins defeated the Buccaneers 31-30. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers won the game 10-6. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) signals a missed field goal by the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) celebrates after intercepting a pass in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. The Buccaneers won 10-6. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bradley McDougald (30) as he heads to the field in a game against the New Orleans Saints on December 13,2015 in Tampa,Fl.
( Tom DiPace via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) flies onto the field before the game against the Carolina Panthers in an NFL game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Charlotte, NC. (AP Photo/Kent Smith)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) runs with the football after picking up a fumble by the Chicago Bears during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Bradley McDougald takes the field for play against the Chicago Bears in a week 10 NFL football game Nov. 13, 2016 in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers won 36 - 10. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
