While the Seattle Seahawks’ running back situation remains unclear, team president Tim Ruskell acknowledged Monday that the team might have to begin searching for Shaun Alexander’s replacement.

“I don’t anticipate a problem in terms of Shaun not being here,” Ruskell said during a question-and-answer session with fans on the team website. “But if that happened and it was a prolonged situation where he was not here, we would look at the guys that we have right now. I’m talking about Maurice Morris and Kerry Carter, and we drafted and signed as a free agent a couple of back-up fullbacks in that position, and we’re encouraged by what those guys showed us in the mini-camp.

“We have some people here that we think can do the job, but if it looked early in (training) camp that this looked like it was going to be a protracted holdout, and we weren’t satisfied with the progress our other guys were making, then we would look at beefing up that position.”

Alexander, who was not available for comment Monday, has said that he is unwilling to sign the one-year, $6.323 million franchise tender unless he’s given a long-term contract. He is not expected to be in attendance when training camp opens Friday, but the team is still holding out hope that he’ll report sometime before the start of the season.

By league rule, the Seahawks are not supposed to negotiate with Alexander until the tender is signed. Although team officials made contact with his representatives 10 days ago, they are not expected to begin negotiations until the tender is signed.

Punter Jones released, claimed by Miami: Without word of whether injury or performance was the reason, the Seahawks cut punter Donnie Jones last week. The team’s website confirmed the transaction, which was not publicized on any kind of a release.

The Miami Dolphins claimed Jones off waivers on Monday.

Jones, a seventh-round pick in the 2004 draft, struggled last season while filling in for veteran Tom Rouen. While Jones was believed to have the inside track on the job this year, he missed most of the June minicamp while nursing a sore kicking leg.

Veteran Leo Araguz, rookie Chris Kluwe and NFL Europe participant Ryan Dutton are the only punters expected to be at the Seahawks training camp.