KIRKLAND – After 10 days of pain, frustration and physical tests, Matt Hasselbeck had had enough.
The Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback returned to the practice field Thursday, taking part in his first action since suffering a charley horse in a Nov. 14 loss to the St. Louis Rams.
“I just told myself that I’ve got to go. I’ve got no other options,” he said after practicing with the No. 1 offense Thursday. “The trainers did a good job of getting me ready. The big test will be how I feel (today).”
Hasselbeck showed no obvious signs of limitation while playing on the bruised right thigh, but the pain was apparent on his face.
He passed a series of physical tests Wednesday, clearing the way for him to practice. Hasselbeck ran drills, then took all but one repetition with the No. 1 offense. He’s still listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
“I think I should be healthy on Sunday,” Hasselbeck said. “I’m just telling myself: no options, you’re good. It’s the power of a positive mind.”
Trent Dilfer would start for the second consecutive week if Hasselbeck can’t play.
Pranksters: Both rookies and veterans were subjects of good-natured pranks before a holiday morning practice.
Most of Seattle’s rookie class fell for an annual prank that involves a notice in their locker promising a free turkey. All but two rookies showed up at a local market looking for the freebie. The two who didn’t were No. 1 pick Marcus Tubbs and second-round choice Michael Boulware.
“Those top picks, they don’t care about a free turkey anyway,” veteran offensive lineman Robbie Tobeck said. “They make enough money, so what good is a free turkey to them?”
Veterans Ken Lucas and Isaiah Kacyvenski were also apparently pranked by teammates.
Both players showed up for Thursday’s practice to find the letter ‘C’ sewn into their practice jerseys. As captains – Kacyvenski has taken over for injured Alex Bannister as special teams captain, while Lucas is expected to fill in for linebacker Chad Brown – the duo didn’t suspect anything was wrong.
But once practice started, they began to realize that the ‘C’ stood for something entirely different.
“Something I can’t say,” Lucas said. “Let’s just say it’s not ‘captain.’
“I was proud of it until I found out the coaches had nothing to do with it. Now I’ve got a scarlet letter on my jersey.”
Terry returns: After being benched for Sunday’s game and missing two days of practice to be with an ill family member, starting right tackle Chris Terry was back with the team Thursday.
Terry worked with the No. 2 offense while Floyd Womack remained with the first team. Terry declined to talk to reporters afterward.
Womack said he has not been told for certain whether he will start in Terry’s place again Sunday.
“We’ll see,” Womack said. “I’m just preparing like I’m going to (start).”
A cheesy alternative: In search of a cure for an 0-4 road record, Bills head coach Mike Mularkey plans to beef up his team’s menu.
Mularkey said this week that he plans to serve a new meal when the team arrives in Seattle on Saturday afternoon. He made some phone calls around the league, including one to Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, and decided that cheeseburgers might be the missing ingredient.
“We’re very similar to everyone else in terms of schedule,” Mularkey told Buffalo reporters this week, “but the one difference is cheeseburgers. So we thought what the heck?”
Quick slants: Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram returned to practice Thursday, although he’s still hobbled by a sore left ankle. He is expected to play Sunday. … Wide receiver Darrell Jackson (ankle), defensive tackle Rashad Moore (shoulder), defensive end Chike Okeafor (ankle) and cornerback Bobby Taylor (knee) did not practice Thursday but are expected to play against the Bills.
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