PHILADELPHIA, July 17 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday added depth at linebacker, signing Levon Kirkland to a one-year contract.
Kirkland was released by the Seattle Seahawks on Friday.
The Eagles have been seeking help at middle linebacker since rescinding the franchise tag on two-time Pro Bowler Jeremiah Trotter, who signed with the NFC East rival Washington Redskins.
Barry Gardner has been penciled in as Trotter's sucessor in the middle but the Eagles have been trying to sign a veteran.
Philadelphia previously attempted to sign veteran Hardy Nickerson, who took less money to sign with the Green Bay Packers.
Kirkland is the second veteran to sign with the Eagles in the last week, joining running back Dorsey Levens, who signed on Friday.
Kirkland, 33, spend his first nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to signing last year with the Seahawks. He had one sack, two forced fumbles and 101 tackles, his sixth straight season in triple digits.
The durable Kirkland started all 16 games last season and has made 123 in a row. In his career, he has 19 1/2 sacks, 14 forced fumbles and 1,005 tackles.
