Seahawks Sign XFL Standout Sal Cannella

Bolstering depth at tight end with Tyler Mabry nursing an undisclosed injury, Sal Cannella will get another crack at the NFL after previously having short stints in Miami and Green Bay.

Adding tight end depth before their final preseason game in Green Bay on Saturday, the Seattle Seahawks signed former XFL standout Sal Cannella on Tuesday.

In a corresponding move to create a spot on the 90-man roster, Seattle waived undrafted cornerback Montrae Braswell.

During Saturday's 22-14 win over the Cowboys, veteran tight end Tyler Mabry could be seen going to the locker room with an injury, which may be the primary reason for adding another player at the position for the exhibition finale. Interestingly, Cannella will have a chance to face the Packers, who he played for during the preseason last August before being waived.

Cannella, who played receiver and tight end collegiately at Auburn, went undrafted in 2020 and didn't land with an NFL team. He played two seasons for the TSL Generals in The Spring League, contributing to a championship run in 2020, but his success in the semi-pro league didn't lead to an NFL opportunity despite having workouts with the Colts and Bears.

Prior to the 2021 season, Cannella landed with the Dolphins, only to be waived four days later. Selected second overall in the tight end stage of the inaugural USFL draft by the New Orleans Breakers, he thrived in the spring league with 34 receptions for 368 yards and two touchdowns, earning All-USFL honors.

Continuing his run through alternative pro leagues after being released by the Packers on August 16, 2022, Cannella joined the Arlington Renegades in the XFL and enjoyed a fantastic season, finishing with 42 receptions for 415 yards to lead the team in both categories. Arlington eventually captured the 2023 XFL championship with the Illinois native contributing in the victory.

Having bounced around in numerous cities and leagues over the past three years, Cannella will now join the Seahawks for a short audition with hopes of impressing enough to latch on somewhere as a practice squad player. With the team unlikely to play many, if any, starters in Green Bay, he should see plenty of action this weekend catching passes from Drew Lock and Holton Ahlers.

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