Sports

<< Previous   of   Next >> AP  (click to enlarge) Seattle Seahawks center Chris Spencer is taken off the field with an injury in the second quarter of in a NFL preseason football game,against the Denver Broncos Saturday.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 Spencer won't be ready for opener Seahawks center has ‘slight tear' in his quad By John Boyle Herald Writer RENTON — The bad news for the Seahawks' offensive line got worse this week. Center Chris Spencer, who left Saturday's exhibition win over Denver with an injury, has a quadriceps tear and will likely be out for the start of the season. Seahawks coach Jim Mora called the injury a “slight tear,” and said that he doesn't expect to have his starting center for the season opener next month. “I don't want to put a time table on it, but he won't be back soon,” Mora said. “Hopefully sooner rather than later, but it's not going to be two weeks, it's going to be into the season, absolutely going to be into the season. I shouldn't say ‘absolutely,' because he might defy the odds, but as we sit here today, it appears that he's not going to be ready for the start of the season.” Assuming Spencer is out for the start of the season, the Seahawks will be without three of their five projected starters coming into training camp. Guard Mike Wahl was forced into early retirement by a shoulder injury, and left tackle Walter Jones had knee surgery last week and will likely miss at least a couple of games. Spencer's injury means that either Steve Vallos or Max Unger will start at center. Unger, a second-round draft pick out of Oregon, is also in a battle with Mansfield Wrotto at right guard. Mora said he's trying not to take a negative approach when thinking about the problems on his offensive line. “Rather than waste energy and worry on the guys that are hurt and say we're snake bit here we go again, I want a team, and a group of coaches, and an organization that says ‘Hey that's what it is and lets make the best of it and go forward'” he said. “That's how we're going to do it. I am sure at certain times the pessimist says ‘Who is this guy trying to fool?' I am not really trying to fool anybody I am just trying to convince people, especially the people that play for us, hey man buckle up and let's go. We can't cancel the season, we can't postpone the game. It is what it is, lets go, lets roll and make the best of it.” Report: Edge in, Duckett out According to reports on the Website ProFootballTalk.com, the Seahawks are set to sign veteran running back Edgerrin James, and have released T.J. Duckett. The Seahawks declined to comment on that Monday, and a team spokesman said the “speculation” would be addressed today. James, a four-time Pro Bowler, played the last three seasons for Arizona after playing the first seven years of his career in Indianapolis. The 31-year-old was released by the Cardinals with one year left on his contract. He has amassed 12,121 career rushing yards and 80 rushing touchdowns. James rushed for a career- low 514 yards last season. Duckett, a former first-round draft-pick out of Michigan State, signed with the Seahawks before last season. As primarily a short-yardage and goal-line running back, he rushed for 172 yards on 62 carries and scored eight touchdowns. Several injured to return Mora said that he expects a handful of players who missed Saturday's game to be back at practice today. Starters Aaron Curry (groin), Julius Jones (thigh bruise) and Nate Burleson (hamstring) should all be back, as should reserve guard/center Grey Ruegamer. Defensive tackle Craig Terrill, who had to be helped off the field Saturday, has a back contusion, and should be back sometime this week, Mora said. Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. City of Everett, neighbor sued over lost trees, mudslide 2. Three-car accident closes Highway 9 3. Kennedy’s assassination remains a puzzling memory 4. Ways to Give: How you can help in your community 5. Take a look under your seat 6. Novice real estate investors can lose their shirts 7. Kwan never golden, but sometimes transcendant 8. Lotto ticket worth $6.5 million sold in Lake Stevens 9. Canceled credit cards come as a shock for some 10. Count drags on long after the election's over 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Eat local this Thanksgiving • Mavericks moving on • Canada's Great Big Sea rolls into Edmonds • A. Murphy finishes 2nd in volleyball • Art Walk features music, demonstrations • EAT LOCAL: Getting the goods • Lynnwood HS history teacher Vic Bennet dies • Wildcats head to semis • CSO Chamber annual show slated Nov. 23 • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million