KIRKLAND – The starting quarterback nursed his left shoulder as he limped toward the practice bubble, letting out a series of deep coughs along the way.
Matt Hasselbeck then took his place among a group of sidelined players that included defensive tackle John Randle (strained knee) and cornerback Ken Lucas (sprained ankle). Two other starters, receiver Darrell Jackson (sprained ankle) and linebacker Chad Brown (upper respiratory virus), didn’t even attend the practice.
That was the bad news from Seattle Seahawks practice on Tuesday. The good news is that most of the hurting and hacking Seahawks expect to play Saturday at San Francisco.
“This time of the year, as I mentioned to the team, everyone is hurting a little bit somewhere,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “So if you can fight through it, you have to go.”
Hasselbeck’s injuries will be the most closely watched. He aggravated a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder and twisted his right ankle during Sunday’s 28-10 win over Arizona. He still hasn’t fought off a bout with a flu-like virus that has also hit Brown and several other teammates.
Yet Hasselbeck is one of seven Seahawks listed as probable on the team’s injury report, and he could practice as soon as today.
Trent Dilfer took all the repetitions with the starting offensive unit Tuesday, while Seneca Wallace ran the scout team.
The only Seahawks in serious danger of not playing Saturday are strong safety Reggie Tongue (questionable, hamstring) and offensive lineman Jerry Wunsch (doubtful, ankle). Tongue practiced Tuesday and expects to play in the game.
The 49ers have even worse injury problems, with wide receiver Terrell Owens out after sustaining a broken collarbone in Sunday’s win over Philadelphia.
Five other starters are listed on the injury report. Safety Zack Bronson, who has missed the last two games due to a bulging disc in his neck, is listed as doubtful. Cornerback Ahmed Plummer (back), guard Ron Stone (knee) and defensive tackle Bryant Young (groin) are questionable.
Playoff scenarios: Just how confusing are this weekend’s playoff possibilities?
Gretchen Holmgren, a 22-year-old law student, had to give her father the breakdown of what has to happen for the Seahawks to make it.
“You know law students: always think they have to explain everything,” Mike Holmgren said Tuesday. “Gretchen and I sat down (Monday) night when I got home, and I said, ‘All right, I’m not letting any of the press tell me, but you better tell me.’”
The NFL released a grid breaking down the scenarios for the NFC playoffs, based on every possible result of the seven weekend games involving postseason contenders.
Of the 120 scenarios, 56 would put the Seahawks in the playoffs. In 32 cases, they would be the No. 5 seed. All of the scenarios involve Seattle winning Saturday at San Francisco.
The simplified way for the Seahawks to get in would be a victory, combined with a loss by either Green Bay or Minnesota.
Price is right hire: San Francisco head coach Dennis Erickson believes that the University of Texas-El Paso made a good hire in former Washington State coach Mike Price.
Of course, Erickson is a bit biased. He and Price attended Everett High School together and have remained close friends over the years.
“It’s a tremendous feeling for me, being his good friend, to see him get another opportunity,” Erickson said. “He’s a great coach, a great person, and he’ll do a tremendous job. They’re lucky to have him.”
Hold the snub talk: Hasselbeck, who is listed as the first alternate to the Pro Bowl, has fallen to fourth in the NFC in passer rating.
His rating of 89.0 now ranks behind Daunte Culpepper (97.4), Brett Favre (91.4) and Aaron Brooks (89.2).
Quick slants: With a season-high eight sacks Sunday, the Seahawks now rank seventh in the NFL with 37 on the season. … Chike Okeafor had two sacks Sunday and is now tied for sixth in the NFC with eight on the season. … Despite a career-high 1,351 rushing yards this season, running back Shaun Alexander hasn’t totally satisfied his coach. “I think there are probably a couple hundred yards in a season that he gives away by messing around too much,” Holmgren said.
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