The Green Bay Packers have signed veteran running back Jay Graham as a free agent, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Thursday.
The 6-foot, 225-pound Graham, a fifth-year professional, joined the Packers on the practice field this afternoon. He fills the roster vacancy created by the placing of running back Najeh Davenport on injured reserve Wednesday.
Most recently a Seattle Seahawk, the former University of Tennessee standout originally was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 1997 draft, the 64th player chosen. Playing in 22 games for Baltimore over the '97, '98 and '99 seasons – including four starts – he rushed for 408 yards in 116 attempts, scoring 2 touchdowns, caught 17 passes for 92 yards and had 9 kickoff returns for 167 yards, an 18.6-yard average.
Out of football in 2000, after being waived Aug. 27 following an injury settlement, Graham signed with Seattle as a free agent April 4, 2001, and played in 11 games for the Seahawks last season. He gained 43 yards in 12 rushing attempts, a 3.6-yard average, caught one pass for 6 yards and averaged 18.7 yards for 3 kickoff returns.
Graham returned to training camp with the Seahawks in July and was waived Sept. 1 in the team's final roster reduction for the 2002 regular season.
A USA Today and Scholastic Coach All-American as a prep star at Concord, N.C., High School, Graham went on to emerge from the University of Tennessee as the fourth-ranking rusher in the Volunteers' history with 2,609 career yards.
The newcomer has been assigned jersey number 35.
