Seahawks Held Tryouts for Ciarlo and Smith
The Seattle Seahawks evaluated linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo and defensive tackle Gary Smith III at a recent workout.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Football
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The Seattle Seahawks hosted linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo and defensive tackle Gary Smith III for in-person tryouts on September 29, 2026. The team is assessing potential depth options for its defense following recent roster adjustments.
Why it matters
NFL teams frequently conduct mid-season tryouts to evaluate free agents as potential injury replacements or practice squad reinforcements. These workouts allow coaching staffs to observe player condition and scheme fit firsthand.
Jimmy Ciarlo is a 25-year-old linebacker who played in one regular-season game in 2025, while 319-pound defensive tackle Gary Smith III stands 6-foot-1.
The players
Jimmy Ciarlo
He is a 25-year-old linebacker who previously played for the Buffalo Bills and was a team captain at West Point in 2023.
Gary Smith III
He is a 319-pound defensive tackle who played college football at UCLA and was released by the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this year.
Seattle Seahawks
They are a professional American football team competing in the National Football League.
Uso Seumalo
He is a defensive player who was re-signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad in September 2026.
The details
The Seahawks evaluated both free agents to bolster defensive depth during the regular season. The team previously re-signed Uso Seumalo to the practice squad on September 23, 2026, as part of its ongoing roster management.
Timeline
September 7, 2026: Las Vegas released Gary Smith III.
September 22, 2026: Tennessee released Jimmy Ciarlo.
September 23, 2026: Seattle re-signed Uso Seumalo to the practice squad.
September 29, 2026: The Seahawks held tryouts for Ciarlo and Smith.
Season Trajectory
These workouts are standard operating procedure for teams managing the physical toll of a 17-game season. The Seahawks are currently evaluating how to best structure their defensive unit to maintain competitiveness throughout the ongoing campaign.
The team's decision to evaluate these specific free agents indicates they are actively looking to add depth to their defensive front and linebacker corps. Signing either player could lead to subsequent moves on the practice squad or active roster to accommodate the new acquisition.
The takeaway
NFL teams continuously monitor the free agent market to ensure they have capable replacements ready when injury issues arise. Fans should watch for official transaction reports to see if either of these players joins the organization.
Further reading
For more updates on roster moves and team depth, visit the Seattle Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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Should NFL teams prioritize signing players who are popular fan favorites when building their rosters?
