With a crucial Thursday night road matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on tap, the Seattle Seahawks have brought in a new cornerback to potentially aid preparation for their upcoming opponent.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Seahawks have signed former Cowboys and Dolphins cornerback Kelvin Joseph to their practice squad. The team officially announced the signing on Sunday afternoon as well as receiver Cody White with outside linebacker Levi Bell placed on the practice squad injured reserve and guard Ben Brown released in corresponding moves.
Selected in the second round out of Kentucky in the 2021 NFL Draft, Joseph played in 26 games for Dallas in his first two seasons, including three starts. Primarily a special teams contributor behind starters Travon Diggs, Anthony Brown, and Daron Bland, he produced 36 tackles, a tackle for loss, and four pass breakups while seeing 330 defensive snaps.
After showing promise as a rookie holding quarterbacks to under a 50 percent completion rate when targeting him, Joseph struggled mightily when thrust into the lineup in 2022. On just 18 targets, he allowed 12 receptions for 228 yards and 19 yards per reception while surrendering four touchdowns without any interceptions, yielding a dismal 149.3 passer rating in coverage.
Given those struggles and the talent in front of him on the depth chart, the Cowboys traded Joseph to the Dolphins in exchange for Noah Igbinoghene on August 29. Playing in two games for his new team before being waived, the Baton Rouge, Louisiana native produced two tackles and gave up a pair of receptions for 39 yards on two targets.
At 6-1, 192 pounds, Joseph offers the size and physical play style that the Seahawks have typically preferred at outside cornerback. After losing rookie safety Jerrick Reed II to a season-ending ACL tear, his prior special teams contributions could make him a candidate to quickly elevate off the practice squad to the game day roster, especially with Riq Woolen nursing a sore shoulder and additional depth potentially needed.
At minimum, considering the timing of his addition, coach Pete Carroll and Seattle's staff would be wise to pick Joseph's brain due to his past experience playing in the Cowboys' defensive scheme and matching up against Dak Prescott and their offense on a daily basis.
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