Seahawks’ Hasselbeck misses fourth straight practice

Published 11:00 pm Wednesday, August 13, 2008

KIRKLAND — While no one is saying as much, the Seattle Seahawks look prepared to take the field for their preseason home opener without the services of Matt Hasselbeck.

The Seahawks’ quarterback was sidelined for a fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, nursing a sore back that started bothering him in last Friday’s preseason game at Minnesota. Quarterbacks Charlie Frye and Seneca Wallace continue to take almost all the practice reps while Hasselbeck looks on.

Neither Frye nor Wallace has been told how much playing time they will see Saturday.

“It’s up to Mike (Holmgren). He’s the one calling it, and we’ll see how it goes,” Wallace said. “I’m out here practicing, and right now I’m just preparing for the week.”

Holmgren did not address the media on Wednesday.

Frye opened the 11-on-11 drills as the No. 1 quarterback, and it’s conceivable that he could start Saturday’s game. The Seahawks already know what they have in Wallace, who is all but guaranteed of opening the season as Hasselbeck’s top backup, and so it might be time to get a long look at Frye.

“He’s going to get a chance to play,” said offensive coordinator Gil Haskell, who would not divulge what the quarterback rotation will be. “In fairness to him, he’s got to be ready.”

Earlier this week, Frye said he has appreciated the extra practice sessions.

“It’s a chance for me to run some plays that I haven’t had a chance to run, instead of the basic slant or hitch throws,” he said.

Holmgren said Sunday that Hasselbeck’s injury is not serious. But even at that time, the coach admitted “there is a chance” Hasselbeck could be held out of the Saturday preseason game.

The Seahawks have two practices today and a Friday walk-through before hosting the Chicago Bears on Saturday night at Qwest Field.

The Heater is back: Linebacker David Hawthorne, who was the star of Friday’s preseason opener, returned to practice Wednesday morning while sporting a healed foot and a new nickname.

Hawthorne is now The Heater.

“Lofa (Tatupu) actually gave it to me because he said I’m heating guys up out there,” Hawthorne explained. “I don’t mind it.”

In his first NFL preseason game, the undrafted rookie from Texas Christian University was credited with five tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. He hurt his left foot during the game and missed three practice days before returning to action Wednesday morning.

Bernard, Kerney practice: Two of the Seahawks’ starting defensive linemen returned to the practice field on Wednesday morning, although only one of them finished the session.

Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, who twisted his ankle during a morning practice on Tuesday, was back on the field and practiced without any noticeable limitations.

Defensive end Patrick Kerney started the session but walked off the field midway through practice. He has been nursing a sore calf muscle since the opening weekend of training camp.

Wednesday marked only the second time Kerney has practiced this month.

Honeymoon can wait: Tim Lindsey and his wife of two months, Casey, had just landed in Destin, Fla., for their honeymoon when a phone call interrupted the vacation.

Lindsey, a long snapper who hadn’t been employed since the Seahawks cut him in April, had gotten a call from Seattle asking him to come back. With rookie snapper Tyler Schmitt temporarily sidelined by a strained back, the Seahawks were in the market for a snapper.

“We turned (the car) around and got back on a plane,” Lindsey said.

And as for Casey Lindsey?

“She’s OK — now,” he said Wednesday afternoon. “She was happy that I was getting to do what I’ve always trained for but sad because we’ve been planning this trip for awhile.”

Lindsey added that the honeymoon would be rescheduled at some point.

Quick slants: Starting right tackle Sean Locklear was among the players who did not practice Wednesday morning. The team called it a routine day off so he could rest his knee. … Cornerback Josh Wilson suffered an undisclosed injury in the morning practice and watched the afternoon session from the sideline. He is the 36th player from the original 80-man roster who has missed a practice this camp. … To make room for Lindsey on the roster, the Seahawks waived injured linebacker Eric Wicks, an undrafted rookie from West Virginia.