KIRKLAND – If the Seattle Seahawks get into a shootout with the high-powered St. Louis Rams offense this weekend, they might have to do it with a wide receiving corps that has a combined eight receptions on the season.
Starting receivers Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram, who have combined to catch 56 passes this season, are both listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Rams. That leaves Joe Jurevicius (seven receptions), Peter Warrick (one), D.J. Hackett (zero) and Jerheme Urban (zero) as the only available receivers.
“As I told the guys (Wednesday) morning, everybody wants to play,” Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. “They think they are the ones that should be playing, now (they) are playing. So, let’s go.”
Engram was already expected to miss Sunday’s game after suffering two cracked ribs, but the status involving Jackson was relatively surprising.
The 26-year-old receiver suffered a bone bruise on his right knee earlier this season, and the injury progressively got worse. He had tests on the knee last Friday but played in Sunday’s loss to the Washington Redskins, catching seven passes. The knee swelled up, and doctors advised him to rest the injury for an indefinite period of time.
“To get this thing quieted down, we all decided he just doesn’t practice,” said Holmgren, who did not have any sort of timetable for Jackson’s return to the field. “Otherwise it could be one of those nagging things that could get worse if you don’t do it now.”
The injuries leave Seattle in a precarious position at their most productive position.
Jurevicius and Warrick are veterans, but both are new to the team this year. Hackett and Urban are younger players with a combined six career receptions – all by the recently re-signed Urban.
Jurevicius and Hackett got most of the work with the first team Wednesday, although Holmgren did not confirm who the starters would be.
While Hackett’s NFL debut came last Sunday, Jurevicius has seen plenty of action during his eight-year career. He’s made 24 starts in 92 career games.
“Been there, done that,” Jurevicius said Wednesday. “I’ve played eight years of pro football. Depending on what my role is, I’ve come in prepared. It’s no different for me. It’s still football.
“… I may not be as fast as a Darrell Jackson or as crafty as a Bobby Engram, but I’ve shown throughout my career that I can make plays. I would hope that’s why they brought me in here (in free agency).”
With 56 receptions, Engram and Jackson have more combined catches than any starting duo in the NFL this season.
“Bobby and Darrell are the heart and soul of our passing game,” Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. “They are our playmakers, and they get it going and kind of get guys fired up.
“It’s tough that way, but we have really invested a lot into that position this offseason, and we have some guys that we think can play. And they are going to get a chance to.”
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