RENTON — For the second consecutive day, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck watched his teammates run the show Thursday.
Hasselbeck continues to be sidelined by the bone bruise on his right knee that he suffered in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants.
Coach Mike Holmgren said earlier this week that Hasselbeck will play against the Green Bay Packers, adding that the quarterback doesn’t necessarily need the practice time.
“They all need to practice, but some guys handle that better than others,” Holmgren said. “If Matt didn’t practice all week and could play Sunday, I would welcome him with open arms. He has to play.”
Offensive coordinator Gil Haskell said Thursday morning that the lack of practice time could affect Hasselbeck on Sunday.
“It’s the rhythm,” Haskell said, “especially with Matt and all these receivers. It’s not the same guys all the time. The rhythm is important.”
Hasselbeck’s top backup, Seneca Wallace, is sidelined by a calf injury. Charlie Frye took all the snaps with the No. 1 offense Thursday. The team added Travis Lulay to the practice squad Thursday to help run the scout team.
Forsett’s back: In addition to Lulay, Seattle added running back Justin Forsett to the practice squad. The 5-foot-8 running back was a preseason star for the Seahawks but got cut after the first week of the regular season.
Forsett joined Indianapolis shortly thereafter but became available when the Colts released him earlier this week.
“You never know in this league,” said Forsett after taking part in Thursday’s practice. “I’m learning in my first couple weeks that it’s pretty unstable. You’ve just got to focus on, wherever you go, you’ve got to be productive.”
To make room for Forsett and Lulay, the Seahawks released running back Matt Lawrence and wide receiver Trent Shelton from the practice squad.
Surprised to get booted: Punter Jon Ryan said he did not expect to get released by the Packers in the days leading up to the regular-season opener, but hindsight has told him that he should have been prepared.
“In this league, you have to expect the unexpected,” he said. “You have no job security. You realize that. It surprised me a little bit, but you can’t be too surprised.”
Ryan, who spent his first two NFL seasons with Green Bay, wasn’t unemployed for long. The Seahawks signed him after punter Ryan Plackemeier had a forgettable opener in Buffalo.
Ryan’s average of 43.7 yards per punt after three games ranks 20th in the NFL.
“We’re a long ways away from where we want to be right now,” Seahawks special teams coach Bruce DeHaven said. “Last time I looked, we’re still way down there toward the bottom (of the league), and that’s not good enough.
“However he’s done, it hasn’t been good enough. It’s got to be better.”
Quick slants: Linebacker Leroy Hill and left tackle Walter Jones practiced for the entire session Thursday afternoon after being limited the previous day. … Running back Maurice Morris (knee) was limited Thursday but expects to play in the Packers game.
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