KIRKLAND – Having nearly run out of outside linebackers, the Seattle Seahawks have had to do a little converting this year.
Solomon Bates, who entered the season as a middle linebacker but has since moved outside, could start in place of Chad Brown in an outside position Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. The other starting outside linebacker, Isaiah Kacyvenski, used to be a starter at middle linebacker before converting last season.
Seattle’s possible starting lineup of Orlando Huff, Kacyvenski and Bates would give the Seahawks a trio of natural middle men playing at once. The top reserve would be another middle linebacker, rookie Niko Koutouvides.
That leaves only Curtis Randall, who was elevated from the practice squad Friday, as a true outside linebacker.
Brown’s status is questionable for Sunday’s game, although he did not practice all week and was walking with a limp Friday. Anthony Simmons was officially placed on injured reserve Friday, joining fellow outside linebacker D.D. Lewis. Tracy White could miss up to four weeks with a pulled hamstring.
Unhappy returns: The Seahawks know the Miami’s return man all too well, having watched him take a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in the preseason.
That was when Wes Welker played for the San Diego Chargers. After the Dolphins cut Mariner High School product Lamont Brightful two weeks into the season, they signed Welker.
While his return numbers have just been average, Welker proved invaluable in the fifth game of the season, kicking an extra point and a 29-yard field goal after Olindo Mare got hurt. Welker was a standout high school kicker in Oklahoma City and also dabbled in it while at Texas Tech.
“For someone like that to come off the bench and have an impact on the game, and a positive impact at that, that’s pretty remarkable for anybody,” Seahawks kicker Josh Brown said of Welker’s first NFL field goal.
More than anything, the Seahawks are impressed with the rookie’s return ability. And they should know. His preseason touchdown got Holmgren so fired up that the coach threatened a few jobs afterward.
“It happened in the preseason. We use those games to try to make ourselves better for the regular season,” said Seattle cornerback Kris Richard, a key special team contributor who was on the field for Welker’s touchdown. “We haven’t let up a touchdown all year on punt returns, and we’re not really looking to do that on Sunday. We’ve got our work cut out with this guy, we know what he’s capable of, and we’ll prepare ourselves to not let it happen again.”
Quick slants: While Simmons still has not had surgery on his dislocated wrist, he is scheduled to undergo a procedure next week. His roster spot went to Randall, who spent the past three weeks on the Seahawks’ practice squad. … In addition to Brown, White and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (charley horse) the Seahawks were without cornerback Bobby Taylor at Friday’s practice. Taylor (knee) is listed as probable on the injury report. … Wide receiver Bobby Engram (ankle) and safety Ken Hamlin (toe) returned to practice and should play Sunday.
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