Injuries cost Seahawks three offensive players in first half

By SCOTT M. JOHNSON

Herald Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The statistics were daunting after the Seattle Seahawks’ 26-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but the most important number might have been three.

That was how many Seahawks were injured during the first half, making things even more difficult for Seattle. None of the players returned, although none of the injuries is believed to be serious.

Wide receiver Derrick Mayes was the first to go down, injuring his finger during warmups. He got stitches, but was diagnosed with a fracture and had to leave the game after one play. He begged to get back into the game, but coach Mike Holmgren vetoed the plan.

In the first quarter, guard Pete Kendall went down with a “stinger,” which is a nerve injury in the neck that temporarily causes a player to feel numbness, but is rarely serious. He was in street clothes by halftime, and Frank Beede took over at left guard.

Fullback Reggie Brown, a backup who typically sees a lot of playing time, also suffered a stinger in the first half. Brown had a similar injury in Week 1, and has been wearing a non-contact jersey at practice.

All three players will undergo further evaluation this week, and their status for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts is still to be determined.

Young guns: If there was a silver lining for the Seahawks in Sunday’s loss, it came with the fact that a lot of young players saw extensive playing time.

Quarterback Brock Huard, making his first start, was the most obvious example. Also seeing their most action of the season were four rookies: defensive end John Hilliard (his seven plays were the first seven of his NFL career), right tackle Chris McIntosh (played the entire second half), cornerback Ike Charlton (played on Carolina’s final drive) and linebacker Marcus Bell (also played on the Panthers’ final drive).

Quick slants: Seattle’s captains for Sunday’s game were Sean Dawkins (offense), Riddick Parker (defense) and Isaiah Kacyvenski (special teams). … Defensive end Matt LaBounty missed his second consecutive game while attending to a family matter. … In two East Coast trips this season, Seattle has been outscored 49-3 while suffering a 755-352 disadvantage in total yards. … Some familiar names appeared atop the Panthers’ tackle chart, as former Washington Husky Lester Towns was third on the team with four tackles and ex-Seahawk Eugene Robinson was fourth with three. … Seahawks linebacker Chad Brown recorded his first full sack and first interception of the season Sunday. … The Panthers played the final three quarters without go-to receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who pulled his hamstring in the first quarter. … This marks the first time since 1992 when Seattle has scored a field goal or less twice in one season. … Seattle’s game against the Raiders on Oct. 22 will be played at Network Associates Coliseum, as originally scheduled. The site of the game was up in the air until the Oakland Athletics were eliminated from the Major League Baseball playoffs Sunday night.