RENTON — Even after a 2-1 start to the season, the Seahawks continue to shake things up on what has been an ever-changing roster.
The Seahawks signed veteran receiver Brandon Stokley Tuesday, as well as a pair of linemen — tackle/guard Allen Barbre and tackle Breno Giacomini. To make room on the roster, the Seahawks released running back/fullback Quinton Ganther, guard Mike Gibson and tackle/guard Mansfield Wrotto.
Stokley, 34, has 4,319 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns in his 11 NFL seasons with Baltimore, Indianapolis and Denver. In Seattle he will be reunited with offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, who coached receivers and quarterbacks during Stokley’s first two seasons in Denver, and was the Broncos play caller in 2008. During those two seasons, Stokley caught 89 passes for 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns as a slot receiver.
Stokley missed most of the preseason with a groin injury and was placed on injured reserve before the start of the season. He then reached an injury settlement with Denver, making him a free agent.
Stokley’s signing may indicate that Mike Williams, who suffered a shoulder injury Sunday, could miss some time. Williams was able to return to Sunday’s game after the injury, but Carroll said that Williams was “real sore” on Monday.
Barbre, a former Green Bay Packer, started seven games at right tackle last season before losing his starting job. He was released by Green Bay with an injury settlement before the start of the season. Giacomini also comes to Seattle from Green Bay, where he was a member of Packers’ practice squad. Both were drafted by Green Bay while Seahawks G.M. John Schneider was a member of the Packers’ front office.
Ganther’s release most likely means an increased role for Michael Robinson, who the Seahawks picked up after San Francisco released him earlier this month. Robinson, like Ganther, is a running back who can also serve as a fullback for the Seahawks, who don’t have a true fullback on the roster.
Gibson opened the season as Seattle’s staring left guard, but Ben Hamilton has started the past two games. Wrotto was released by the Seahawks at the start of the season, then re-signed two weeks ago.
Washington awarded for big game
It comes as no surprise, but kick returner Leon Washington will be named the NFC’s special teams player of the week today. Washington became just the 10th player in NFL history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in a game, scoring on returns of 101 and 99 yards in the second half of Sunday’s win over San Diego.
Washington finished the game with 253 yards on four kickoffs, a franchise record, and has six career kickoff return touchdowns, which is tied for the second most in league history.
He is the first Seahawk to win a player of the week award since Josh Wilson earned the award in Week 16 of the 2008 season.
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog
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