The Seattle Seahawks are apparently not finished adding to their defensive line. The team has signed yet another former Minnesota Viking, defensive tackle Shamar Stephen, to a one-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Stephen will join former teammate Tom Johnson on Seattle’s defensive front. The Vikings signed Seahawks free agent Sheldon Richardson just last week.
Stephen was a seventh-round pick by the Vikings back in 2014. He started all 16 games for the team in 2016 but has been a backup otherwise. All told, the 27-year-old has 41 tackles, one sack and one pass deflection in 52 career games played.
Stephen suffered a torn meniscus in the playoffs and had surgery, however, he is expected to be fully recovered by OTA’s this spring.
Stephen will add depth to a team that has now added three defensive linemen in the past two days: Stephen, Johnson and defensive end Marcus Smith, who the Seahawks re-signed on Friday. The three will be joined by Jarran Reed, Frank Clark, Nazair Jones and Dion Jordan next season.
Stephen likely won’t see a ton of time unless injuries impact the starting players.
Still, for a team that lost Michael Bennett, Sheldon Richardson and potentially Cliff Avril from last year’s roster, all the depth they can get is beneficial in the long-run.
