SEATTLE, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones of Seattle Tuesday signed a one-year tender with the Seahawks worth $5.73 million.
Jones missed his second straight preseason this summer. The Seahawks have designated him as a franchise player for the last two seasons, requiring them to pay him the average of the five highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL last season.
The St. Louis Rams did the same with their Pro Bowl tackle, Orlando Pace, and he too sat out through most of the preseason before signing his tender last week, reportedly worth $5.73 million.
Jones' return was especially important with starting right tackle Chris Terry sidelined for the first four regular season games after violating the league's substance abuse and personal conduct policies.
Jones missed the first two games of the 2002 season before signing his tender, and ended up making his third Pro Bowl.
