KIRKLAND – If the Seattle Seahawks’ team doctors have seen their golf handicaps rise recently, they can blame the team’s linebackers.
The Seahawks’ linebacking corps continued to keep doctors busy Monday morning, when Chad Brown had his left knee scoped. While the Seahawks expect Brown to return at some point this season, no timetable was set for his return.
Brown has had cartilage damage in the knee since a win over Carolina two-and-a-half weeks ago, which marked his second game of the regular season. Brown broke his left fibula at training camp on Aug. 23 and missed the first six games of the season.
He played on the injured knee Sunday even though he knew he would undergo surgery the following day.
“I’m always going to give the team my best,” Brown said after Sunday’s 24-17 win over the Miami Dolphins. “I’m always going to lay it on the line. Regardless of what happens (the) next week, Sunday always comes first.”
Brown joined D.D. Lewis (shoulder) and Anthony Simmons (shoulder) as Seahawks linebackers who underwent surgery from team doctors. Simmons is scheduled to undergo a second surgery, this time on his wrist, but has yet to have the procedure.
With Brown sidelined, the Seahawks are likely to turn to Solomon Bates as the starter. Bates was part of the battle for the starting middle linebacker position at training camp, but lost out to Orlando Huff. He dropped to third on the depth chart, converted to outside linebacker, and has been a healthy inactive for six of Seattle’s 10 games this season.
“It’s been a little hectic,” Bates said. “But that’s how this business is. You’ve just got to be ready. Being inactive for some games, then active for others, you’ve just got to deal with it. Anything I can do to play and help the team, I’ll do.”
The Seahawks have a roster spot available because of Koren Robinson’s four-game suspension, so they’ll scan the waiver for possible help.
Terry still missing: If coach Mike Holmgren was trying to make a statement by benching starting right tackle Chris Terry, he isn’t done delivering his message.
Holmgren said Monday that he is considering letting Floyd Womack start again this Sunday. Womack started against Miami after Terry violated an unspecified team rule.
“We’ll have to see,” Holmgren said of leaving Womack in the starting lineup. “I still haven’t seen Chris Terry. I still have to talk to him.”
Terry was not on the sideline Sunday and did not attend the team’s Monday workout. But he is expected to re-join the team at some point this week.
Help wanted?: Without naming names or getting specific, Holmgren hinted Monday that there may be a punter change.
Rookie Donnie Jones, who took over for injured Tom Rouen six weeks ago, struggled badly on Sunday.
“Yes, we are,” Holmgren said when asked if there would be changes in the punting game. “Exactly how we are going to go there, I’m not ready to elaborate right at this moment. That was not good (Sunday), and it is a huge part of any football game. We’re looking at ways to fix that.”
Jones averaged just 31.8 yards per punt Sunday, with four of his eight punts going for 30 yards or shorter.
Quick slants: One day later Holmgren was still beaming about Michael Boulware’s touchdown return that beat the Dolphins. “When I’m on the porch in the nursing home, reading my book, that will be Chapter 7,” he said. … About 1,000 tickets remain for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. They can be purchased by calling 1-888-NFL-HAWK.
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