Seahawks sign defensive tackle P.J. Johnson

With the expected starters at defensive tackle, Jarran Reed and Poona Ford, suffering injuries early in camp, the Seahawks became thin along the interior. Though Reed has since returned to practice, Ford remains out. As a result, Seattle needed to add a defensive tackle, at the very least to help make up the numbers. On Tuesday, they made that addition, signing P.J. Johnson.

Johnson took a visit to the team on Sunday, before his addition was made official. After being selected by the Lions in the seventh round a year ago, Johnson was waived during Detroit’s cuts from 90 to 53. Johnson spent several months as a free agent before landing with the Chargers’ practice squad. A future contract in January kept him in L.A. until training camp, before he was released in early August.

At 6’3” and 321 pounds, Johnson should help Seattle fill the 1-technique rotation while Ford is out. Bryan Mone, the current backup to Ford, has impressed to begin his second season with the team. Johnson will join a group also consisting of Demarcus Christmas, Cedrick Lattimore, and Reed.