RENTON -- The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms with seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney.
Freeney was in town for a workout with the Seahawks on Tuesday as Seattle was looking for additional pass rush help. Freeney takes the roster spot of Cliff Avril, who was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury on Friday and will be out until at least mid-December.
With Avril on injured reserve and Michael Bennett playing through a plantar fascia injury to his foot, Freeney gives Seattle another option to turn to. Freeney will likely see the field between 10-20 snaps a game as the Seahawks look to ease some of the wear and tear on Bennett through the rest of the regular season.
Freeney played in 15 games regular season games and all three postseason games last season for the Atlanta Falcons. Freeney has played for the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals and Falcons over the last four years after spending the first 11 years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts. Freeney has 122.5 sacks in his career, which ranks second among active players behind Julius Peppers and 18th all-time.
The Seahawks had less than $1.9 million in salary cap space to work with in their pursuit of Freeney. He joins Bennett, Frank Clark, Marcus Smith, Quinton Jefferson and Branden Jackson.
The Seahawks have just 12 sacks on the year, which ranks 27th in the NFL through seven weeks of the season.
Photo Credit: ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Dwight Freeney #93 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after defeating the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Packers 44-21. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)