RENTON, Wash. -- Coach Pete Carroll said Monday the Seattle Seahawks might consider re-signing cornerback Antoine Winfield to help their depleted secondary.
Cornerback Walter Thurmond is facing a four-game suspension due to non-PEDs substance abuse, and Winfield is a veteran player who knows the system and could step in immediately. Thurmond was starting for Brandon Browner, who is out with a severe groin pull.
Per league rules, Carroll was unable to comment on the Thurmond situation, but he did say Winfield might return.
"He's a really good football player," Carroll said Monday morning at 710 ESPN radio in Seattle. "With the needs that we may have going into this game, that's a possibility. We'll figure that out when the time comes. But he's a really quality guy to bring into your team at a time like this. He's knows his way around and everybody respects the heck out of him."
Winfield, 36, was a three-time Pro Bowl player with the Minnesota Vikings. He was signed by Seattle as a free agent last April, but Winfield announced his retirement at the end of the preseason when it appeared the Seahawks were going to go with younger players in the secondary.
Winfield (5-foot-9, 180 pounds) is considered an excellent cover corner. He started 16 games for the Vikings last season, finishing with three interceptions and 13 passes defensed.