‘Good news’ on injured cornerback

By Scott M. Johnson

Herald Writer

KIRKLAND – The Seattle Seahawks breathed a sigh of relief this week when they found out cornerback Ike Charlton’s knee injury was not as serious as originally believed.

Coach Mike Holmgren said Tuesday that Charlton will be out two to three weeks after undergoing a knee scope Monday.

“It was good news,” Holmgren said. “I had heard everything from two weeks to eight-to-10 weeks.”

Holmgren added that there was no torn cartilage or torn ligaments in the knee. The surgery was to repair some minor damage of the capsule, which is an enclosing structure that contains ligaments that support the joint.

Charlton injured his knee during the first quarter of Saturday’s preseason finale. While he won’t be able to play this Sunday, when the regular season begins at Cleveland, he could be back in time for a Sept. 30 game at Oakland.

Charlton was the third cornerback to get injured in a preseason game, following Shawn Springs (hamstring) and Willie Williams (broken forearm). All three cornerbacks are expected to be back no later than the third week of the season.

Despite the lack of depth, Holmgren said it was unlikely that the Seahawks will add another cornerback. Bringing in an experienced veteran would not make sense considering the fact that Springs, Williams and Charlton will be back relatively soon.

“If we can just kind of hang on for a couple of weeks, then I think it will just kind of solve itself,” Holmgren said.

In Charlton’s absence, the Seahawks will turn to 25-year-old Paul Miranda to start Sunday against Cleveland. Miranda was on the team last season, but played in only four games – mostly on special teams. Sunday’s game will mark his first start.

“He’s made good improvement,” secondary coach Ken Flajole said of Miranda. “He’s gotten his chance to play during training camp, and it’s time for him to step up now.”

The nickel back is rookie Harold Blackmon, who is the only other healthy corner on the roster.

“You never know,” Flajole said. “When there’s a 53-man roster like there is in this league, you’re an ankle sprain away from being the starter. We’ve gotten into that.”

McIntosh does not practice: Right tackle Chris McIntosh was held out of practice again Tuesday because of a neck stinger, and his status for Sunday’s game is in question.

“It’s a tough deal right now for him,” Holmgren said. “He wants to play desperately; I want him to play. But we have to do the right thing as far as making sure he doesn’t take two steps backward in this thing.”

If McIntosh can’t play Sunday, Todd Weiner would make his third consecutive season-opening start. He took over for retired Howard Ballard as the starting right tackle in 1999, only to go down with an ankle injury in the first quarter, then started in last season’s opener because McIntosh had missed training camp in a contract dispute.

No decision on No. 2: Holmgren said the team had not decided on whether to use Brock Huard or Trent Dilfer as the primary backup to quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

Holmgren said there was a possibility that he could alternate the two on a weekly basis, much like he did with Mark Brunell and Ty Detmer for one season in Green Bay.

Chasing Booty: When the Seahawks arrive at Cleveland Browns Stadium this Sunday, they will be reunited with ex-teammate Josh Booty.

The rookie quarterback was released by the Seahawks on Sunday, then was picked up by Cleveland the next day. Seattle was hoping to re-sign Booty to the practice squad, but he understandably opted to be the Browns’ No. 3 quarterback instead.

Quick slants: Defensive lineman Joe Brown, offensive lineman Bruce Wiggins, cornerback Shawn Forte, running back Rodnick Phillips and wide receiver Kerwin Cook were added to the team’s practice squad. Brown, Phillips and Cook were with the team at training camp. … Three players have changed jersey numbers: Dilfer (now wearing No. 4), wide receiver Alex Bannister (85) and tight end Russell Stewart (87) … Holmgren on the retirement of defensive Cortez Kennedy: “He’s one of my favorite people in the world, and obviously he’s thought through this decision. If this is what he wants to do, I think it’s a good thing for him.”