RENTON — It was supposed to be a relatively meaningless practice, if there is such a thing.
But the Seattle Seahawks’ 50-minute workout on Monday afternoon included one participant that spoke volumes.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who has been nursing a sore back, returned to the field and is expected to play in Sunday’s regular-season opener.
“We’re about to roll, so it’s good to get your guys back,” running back Maurice Morris said. “With his experience, you can’t replace that.”
Monday’s short workout marked the second full practice in which Hasselbeck has participated since the Aug. 8 preseason game at Minnesota. While several other veterans rested during the short session, Hasselbeck needed the work to try and shake the rust off.
“I feel great,” Hasselbeck said after the workout. “I feel good. I’m excited to finally get back out there with my teammates. It’s been a little frustrating watching, especially because I’ve felt pretty good the last few days. But it’s nice to get out there and throw.”
Hasselbeck admitted to feeling a bit “rusty” in his first action since Aug. 19, but his teammates didn’t necessarily notice.
“I caught the balls he threw to me, and he looked good,” wide receiver Nate Burleson said. “Every ball is not going to be perfect. But if he feels rusty, and we’re still catching balls, I can’t wait to see him when he’s up to speed.”
Hasselbeck has been ailing since a few days before the Minnesota game. While the quarterback has said that his back started bothering him on the flight to Minnesota, he admitted Monday that the injury happened earlier than that.
“I think my back was just in spasm because of one incident that happened on the practice field before (the Vikings game),” said Hasselbeck, who started that game but played just two series. “It was one of those things where (the coaches and trainers were) like: ‘Let’s just get this to go away before Buffalo.’ So mission accomplished; we did it. I’m ready to go.”
Because the team doesn’t officially start practicing until Wednesday, several players were given the day off to rest. Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, wide receiver Deion Branch and starting tackles Walter Jones and Sean Locklear rested. The official injury report does not come out until Wednesday.
Monday’s practice served as a good sign that Hasselbeck should be ready to go when the Seahawks face Buffalo in Sunday’s opener.
“The good thing is that the game is not tomorrow,” Morris said. “We’ve still got a whole week for him to get back into rhythm. I know for a fact that once Sunday hits, he’ll be ready to roll.”
Hasselbeck said that he has seen a chiropractor and been rehabilitating his back for more than three weeks. He added that the injury no longer bothers him.
“I think I’m 100 percent healthy,” he said. “I’m probably not 100 percent in shape. That’s what this week’s for.”
Like New England’s Tom Brady and the Indianapolis Colts’ Peyton Manning, Hasselbeck was being handled with kid gloves during the preseason so that he’ll be ready for Sunday. He has fought through injuries in the past — Hasselbeck has missed just four games in the past three seasons — and has every intention of starting Sunday’s game.
His teammates know that he’ll be there.
“I expect him to be what he’s been,” Burleson said. “Matt has a great way of playing above expectations on game days. I think everybody kind of realizes he’s a good quarterback, but somehow he seems to make great plays on game day.”
And as for the rust?
“I’m not concerned about that,” Burleson said, “him being a quarterback, and a Pro Bowl one at that. Being a leader of the team is like riding a bike. It only takes a couple of passes to get the rhythm thing going.
“He’ll be fine. Once we get going this week, there won’t be any balls on the ground at all.”
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