All Seahawks

Seahawks Courting Veteran DT Damon Harrison

Though Seattle has received steady contributions from young players such as Bryan Mone and Anthony Rush, Harrison offers All-Pro pedigree and would instantly bolster the team's defensive line.
Seahawks Courting Veteran DT Damon Harrison
Seahawks Courting Veteran DT Damon Harrison

After months of speculated interest, the Seahawks will finally meet with free agent defensive tackle Damon Harrison.

According to Adam Schefter, Harrison will head to Seattle as the first of what could be multiple visits. Green Bay, Cincinnati, and Chicago also reportedly have interest in the former All-Pro.

The Seahawks opened the 2020 season with two solid starters at defensive tackle in Jarran Reed and Poona Ford. But Bryan Mone, a second-year player out of Michigan, was the only other defender at the position with any prior NFL game experience, creating major question marks about depth.

However, through two weeks, Seattle has been surprisingly stout in the middle, with Mone and Anthony Rush playing well in last Sunday's win over New England. They combined to produce three tackles and two quarterback pressures, helping the Seahawks hold the Patriots to less than 70 rushing yards.

Still, with Jarran Reed now dealing with a back injury and missing Wednesday's practice, Seattle could use veteran reinforcements and Harrison would be an outstanding early season pickup. As I reported on multiple occasions, the organization has had him on the radar for some time and he's simply been weighing his options.

Formerly undrafted out of William Penn, the 350-pound Harrison has started 111 games in eight NFL seasons. Known for his run stuffing prowess, "Snacks" has amassed 485 tackles, 11.0 sacks, and 37 tackles during that span. His best season came in 2016 with the Giants, when he registered a career-high 86 tackles and garnered First-Team All-Pro honors.

Last season, Harrison endured a down season by his standards with the Lions, producing 49 tackles and a pair of sacks. Disinterested in playing another down for the team, he was released in February.

But after contemplating his football future and considering retirement, the 32-year old Harrison clearly wants to play. If the two sides can agree to financial terms and he's able to pass a physical, this would seem like a great fit for the Seahawks, who could use another steady veteran in the middle.


Published
Corbin K. Smith
CORBIN K. SMITH

Graduating from Manchester College in 2012, Smith began his professional career as a high school Economics teacher in Indianapolis and launched his own NFL website covering the Seahawks as a hobby. After teaching and coaching high school football for five years, he transitioned to a full-time sports reporter in 2017, writing for USA Today's Seahawks Wire while continuing to produce the Legion of 12 podcast. He joined the Arena Group in August 2018 and also currently hosts the daily Locked On Seahawks podcast with Rob Rang and Nick Lee. Away from his coverage of the Seahawks and the NFL, Smith dabbles in standup comedy, is a heavy metal enthusiast and previously performed as lead vocalist for a metal band, and enjoys distance running and weight lifting. A habitual commuter, he resides with his wife Natalia in Colorado and spends extensive time reporting from his second residence in the Pacific Northwest.