The Seattle Seahawks released defensive end Aldon Smith on Wednesday, and in a corresponding move, signed linebacker Lakiem Williams to the 90-man roster.

Smith signed a one-year, $1.127 million contract with the Seahawks on April 15, although an arrest warrant was issued for him two days later in Louisiana on a second-degree battery charge. He was accused of choking a man unconscious after an altercation in a coffee shop.

Smith, 31, made a strong comeback last season with the Dallas Cowboys after four years out of the league. He started all 16 games and recorded five sacks, 14 quarterback hits, 48 tackles and two fumble recoveries — including one returned for a touchdown.

He was the No. 7 overall pick by San Francisco in 2011 and registered 33.5 sacks in his first 32 games with the 49ers, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2012.

However, following a series of arrests and off-field issues, as well as multiple team and league suspensions, Smith was suspended by the NFL in November 2015. He wasn’t reinstated until last May.

Smith has 52.5 sacks and 103 quarterback hits in 75 games (53 starts) with the 49ers (2011-14), then-Oakland Raiders (2015) and Cowboys (2020).

Williams, who hails from Tacoma, Wash., spent two seasons at Syracuse after transferring from Butte College in California. He started all 12 games at middle linebacker during his senior season in 2019, recording 110 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks and earning All-ACC third-team honors. Williams went undrafted in 2020 and spent a brief stint with the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks this summer.

–Field Level Media