Kam Chancellor ends holdout, says 'I know I can play Sunday'

SEATTLE -- Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor is ending his contract dispute holdout and is returning to Seattle to play football, the team confirmed Wednesday.

Multiple news agencies first reported Chancellor was headed to the Seahawks practice facility early Wednesday morning.

The team confirmed the news with a press release, and later a press conference featuring Chancellor and Coach Pete Carroll. Chancellor, who now weighs 226 pounds with six percent body fat, says he can play Sunday against the Chicago Bears and looks forward to hearing the roar of the crowd.

Chancellor said the team welcomed him back to the locker room with open arms.

Carroll heralded the strong safety's return as a new beginning for the team that has gone 0-2 in his absence. He did not specifically comment on whether Kam would play Sunday, however.

It is unknown if the 27-year-old Chancellor is returning to the team with a new contract in hand-- though it seems doubtful given reports -- or if any of the fines incurred during his holdout will be forgiven. Carroll refused to discuss contract negotiations at the press conference.

In 2013, Chancellor agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $28 million with the Seahawks. But during this offseason, Chancellor requested a new contract and refused to return with the team unless a deal was struck.