With his four-week suspension for a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy now complete, cornerback Brandon Browner has been reinstated to the Seattle Seahawks active roster.
Seattle placed cornerback Walter Thurmond on injured reserve to make room for Browner on the roster.
Browner has missed the last four games for Seattle after dropping his appeal following the Seahawks 23-17 overtime win over the Chicago Bears on Dec. 2. While fellow starter Richard Sherman continued to fight (and win) his appeal, Browner served his suspension in order to be eligible to return for the postseason.
It was actually a bit of a blessing-in-disguise for the Seahawks (though maybe not for Browner’s checkbook). Seattle won all four games in Browner’s absence and were able to have rookie Jeremy Lane and second-year cornerback Byron Maxwell get extended game experience for the first time in their careers. Now with Browner returning, head coach Pete Carroll feels more confident in the depth he had behind his two starters.
“If he’s not quite right or if he doesn’t get off to a good start during the week, we’ve got other guys who can play for him,” Carroll said. “But we’re going to give him a heck of a chance to play. We’re thrilled to get him back and we’ll see what happens.
Thurmond couldn’t get back from a hamstring strain suffered during practice three weeks ago. He returned to limited participation in practice last Thursday before re-aggravating the injury.
“He kind of re-tweaked it again last week and that means it’s going to be a couple of weeks again,” Carroll said. "...We’re just going to have to ice him for a while here and when we get him back he’ll be able to have a good off-season and get ready to go.”
Browner made the Pro Bowl as an alternate for Seattle in 2011 in his first year back in the NFL after four seasons in the Canadian Football League. Browner played in all 12 games before the suspension and compiled 44 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles for Seattle.
Seattle also made some adjustments to their practice squad on Monday. The Seahawks signed defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga and re-signed cornerback Ron Parker to the practice squad after releasing him last Thursday. The team released wide receiver Corbin Louks to make room for Meatoga and Parker on the squad.