Former Auburn TE Sal Cannella signs with Seahawks

Former Auburn tight end Sal Cannella has signed with the Seattle Seahawks. The XFL, where Cannella last played, announced the news on Monday.

Cannella spent the 2023 XFL season with the Arlington Renegades. He totaled 42 catches for 415 yards during this past season, helping lead his team to an XFL championship.

The former Auburn tight end joins the Seahawks a few days prior to the team’s final preseason game. Seattle travels to Green Bay to play the Packers on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. ET.

🚨Sal Cannella signs NFL contract with the @Seahawks! #XFLtoNFL | #LeagueOfOpportunity | @XFLRenegades pic.twitter.com/8XIvk0k5Vv

— XFL (@XFL2023) August 21, 2023

Cannella becomes the sixth tight end to join Seattle’s roster in the preseason. He accompanies Noah Fant, Will Dissly, Colby Parkinson, Griffin Hebert, and Tyler Mabry.

This isn’t Cannella’s first run with an NFL team during training camp. In 2021, he was signed by the Miami Dolphins. The following offseason the tight end was signed by the Green Bay Packers.

Cannella has also had stops in The Spring League, USFL and XFL.

In a corresponding move, the Seahawks waived cornerback Montae Braswell.

Cannella was a tight end for Auburn during his college days. Over three seasons, he caught 25 passes for 330 yards and five touchdowns for the Tigers. He was not selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Seahawks take major hit at WR

Seattle took a big hit at wide receiver, with rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The former Ohio State star suffered a broken bone in his wrist during the team’s preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.

While Smith-Njigba had surgery Tuesday, there’s still a chance he’s ready for the first week of the regular season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Seattle plays the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Sept. 10.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught three passes for 58 yards on Saturday against the Cowboys. In the preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings, he caught three passes for 25 yards.

The Seahawks selected Smith-Njigba in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft with the No. 20 overall pick. The Texas native was a high draft pick, despite missing most of his junior season.

Smith-Njigba played in only three games in 2022, finishing the year with five receptions for 43 yards.

During his time in Columbus, Smith-Njigba established himself as one of the best receivers in the country. Perhaps no game demonstrated that better than the Rose Bowl following the 2021 campaign.

Smith-Njigba hauled 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling win over Utah.