KIRKLAND – A few eyebrows were raised when the Seattle Seahawks used one of their precious eight spots on their practice squad on a punter before the season.
Just six weeks in, that move might pay off.
Although coach Mike Holmgren said Monday that he is optimistic about the availability of punter Tom Rouen against the New England Patriots this Sunday, the Seahawks have a security blanket already in their locker room.
“I started hitting some balls (Monday), and I’m going to look at it like I’m going to play on Sunday,” said rookie punter Donnie Jones, a seventh-round draft pick and member of the practice squad. “I have to be ready to play. If Tom is ready to play, he’ll go in and play. But I’m definitely going to be ready.”
Rouen suffered a hamstring injury while covering a punt with 31/2 minutes left in Sunday’s loss to St. Louis. Kicker Josh Brown filled in on the Seahawks’ final punt, but the team would like to have a more experienced player handle the duties this weekend.
Holmgren said that Rouen was originally believed to have pulled the hamstring, but a test Monday showed that it is a strain. That means Rouen could be available to practice later this week, and possibly to play in the game.
If not, Jones could be added to the active roster.
“I always work hard on my kicking every week,” Jones said, “but this week there will be an extra little excitement to really go out there and practice hard and be ready to step in if needed.”
If Jones is on the roster Sunday, he’ll kick to one of his favorite players. New England punt returner Kevin Faulk was a star running back at LSU while Jones was at a Baton Rouge high school.
Sacking depression: Despite Sunday’s disappointing loss, some of the Seahawks maintained their sense of humor Monday.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was asked whether offensive lineman Robbie Tobeck had bought a few weeks of not being razzed after Tobeck recovered a key fumble in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. Tobeck fell on the loose ball after Hasselbeck was sacked and fumbled the ball with 1:25 remaining in regulation and the Seahawks clinging to a three-point lead.
“He wasn’t blocking anybody; that’s why he jumped on the ball,” Hasselbeck quipped, drawing laughter. “No, I’m kidding. That wasn’t his fault.”
Historical comeback: The Rams’ come-from-behind win Sunday was the second-biggest comeback over the final six minutes in NFL history.
The only time a team has come back from more than 17 points in the final six minutes was last October, when Indianapolis rallied from 21 points down to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-35.
Quick slants: In addition to Rouen, the Seahawks are concerned about a turf toe injury that leaves starting defensive tackle Cedric Woodard’s status in question. Woodard will be further evaluated later in the week. If he couldn’t play, first-round pick Marcus Tubbs or Rocky Bernard would probably start. … The Seahawks begin a stretch of four road games in five weeks on Sunday. Three of those road games come against NFC West teams.
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