Seattle Seahawks Will Reportedly Sign Ryan Longwell

After a tryout on Tuesday, the Seattle Seahawks will reportedly sign veteran kicker Ryan Longwell off the streets to help bolster the position after current starter Steven Hauschka suffered a calf injury in the team's 24-14 win over Washington in the Wild Card Round.

ESPN's Ed Werder had the story via his Twitter account:

"

Just filed to ESPN: 15-year vet Ryan Longwell hasn't kicked this year but won tryout in Seattle and will sign with Seahawks

— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) January 8, 2013"

Seattle decided to give Longwell, who last appeared for the Minnesota Vikings in 2011, a chance to prove he can still kick at an elite level in the NFL. He was released in May by Minnesota and hasn't kicked in the league this season.

Longwell is an experienced veteran in terms of both regular and playoff appearances. He currently ranks 13th in NFL history in both points scored and field goals made, certainly one of the factors Pete Carroll and his coaching staff looked at when making the move to sign the 38-year-old.

He has also played in 13 playoff games, hitting 30-of-31 extra points and 17-of-23 field goals during those contests. His last playoff appearance was in 2010, when the Vikings and Brett Favre lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.

Hauschka is 24-of-27 on the year and was a crucial 3-of-3 on Sunday against the Redskins, including hitting two of those three after the injury occurred. Losing himwould be a big hit, but the team is covering its bases in pursuit of a Super Bowl by making sure it has a replacement ready.

If Hauschka can't go, Longwell will get the nod. He'll have the weight of the Georgia Dome on his shoulders in pressure situations as the Seahawks travel to face the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

Ethan Grant is a featured columnist for B/R's Breaking News Team.

Follow @DowntownEG