Seahawks add veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney

The Seattle Seahawks will sign former Indianapolis Colts All Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney to fill the roster spot vacated by Cliff Avril’s move to the injured reserve list last week, Freeney confirmed Tuesday.

Adam Schefter also reported the news on Twitter.

Freeney was a member of the Colts for 11 seasons, with whom he made seven Pro Bowls and three All Pro teams. He last played in 2016 with the Atlanta Falcons and in 2015 with the Arizona Cardinals, after two years with the San Diego Chargers. In 2015, Freeney recorded eight sacks at age 35 in just 11 games, and has 122.5 sacks in his career, but otherwise has taken down quarterbacks just 11.5 times since 2011.

Freeney is now 37 and did not find a job at the beginning of 2017 or until now, already seven weeks deep in the season. Monday, Field Gulls’ Alistair Corp discussed what Freeney could bring to the Seahawks pass rush at this stage.

As of Tuesday night the terms of Freeney’s signing were not public but Seattle was extremely close to the salary cap limit prior to adding the veteran so unless Freeney decided to play for the minimum another move is probably forthcoming, whether it’s the release or trade of a familiar Seahawk or a contract restructuring.