Easley’s Kidney Problems Cloud His Career

The future of safety Kenny Easley of the Seattle Seahawks remained cloudy because of a kidney condition that was discovered in a routine Phoenix Cardinals’ physical examination.

Easley’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, said Sunday that more tests were necessary to determine the exact nature of the problem. “We’re not totally clear what’s wrong,” Steinberg said. “I’ve talked to the doctor who examined him in Seattle Saturday, but we need more tests.”

Steinberg called it “a serious kidney disorder.” He added: “My assumption is both kidneys are involved. But I’m not necessarily pessimistic.”

Easley, a former UCLA star, originally was to be part of a trade that brought quarterback Kelly Stouffer to Seattle from the Cardinals, but Easley failed the Phoenix physical.

The Seahawks got Stouffer by giving the Cardinals their 1989 first-round draft choice, their 1989 fifth-round pick and a 1988 fifth-round selection they obtained from Dallas last year in a trade for veteran offensive tackle Ron Essink, who retired.

The Seahawks signed Stouffer Friday, giving him a four-year, $3.1-million contract, including a $1-million signing bonus. Stouffer sat out last year in a contract dispute.