National Football League

One week after release, Seahawks sign Ellison

Published Jun. 30, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Seattle Seahawks have signed safety Kevin Ellison to a new contract a week after claiming him off waivers.

The team says Tuesday it had to claim the former San Diego Chargers player last week, then waive him and allow him to clear waivers before Seattle could rework a new deal.

Ellison was an All-Pac-10 selection and team captain at USC for new Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.

He started nine games at strong safety as a rookie for San Diego last season.

The Chargers waived Ellison after police in Redondo Beach, Calif., stopped him for speeding in a school zone near his former high school in late May. Police said a search of Ellison's vehicle turned up 100 Vicodin pills.