KIRKLAND – The Seattle Seahawks were looking more like the Seattle Seahawks on Monday morning.
On the first day of the Seahawks’ final minicamp of the summer, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was running the team in his usual capacity, five months after undergoing surgery on his non-throwing shoulder.
“There are no restrictions, but he is working through some of the rust,” coach Mike Holmgren said after Monday’s practice. “I think he is fine physically. … He threw enough good balls today that he is close.”
Hasselbeck, who saw limited participation at the team’s minicamps last month, said that the surgery no longer prevents him from doing anything in a football sense.
“It’s a non-issue for me on the field,” he said. “I met with the medical staff again (Monday), and they told me there are some things I need to be smart about in the weight room just because it hasn’t been that long (since the surgery). But it is a non-issue on the football field.”
Hasselbeck was one of several players who showed progress from offseason surgeries Monday.
Center Chris Spencer, who missed the last camp while seeking a second opinion on his surgically-repaired shoulder, took part in limited drills and is expected to be back at full strength for training camp. Spencer said that his shoulder problems are a thing of the past.
“I’m just trying to get better on a week-by-week basis,” he said.
Offensive lineman Tom Ashworth (hip) and safety Mike Green (foot) also saw some action in Monday’s practice.
Among the players still sidelined are defensive end Patrick Kerney (pectoral muscle surgery), defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs (knee surgery) and defensive backs Michael Boulware (shoulder/ankle) and Jordan Babineaux (shoulder). While Boulware and Babineaux should be available for training camp, the team is holding out hope that Tubbs’ injury does not force him to miss any of the regular season.
Of course, most eyes Monday were on Hasselbeck. The 31-year-old quarterback had a partial tear on his left labrum and underwent surgery in January. The injury was not expected to limit him during the upcoming regular season, and Monday’s participation served as another step in the right direction.
“I’ve still got things to work on,” Hasselbeck said. “I haven’t been throwing a ton. I’m throwing about two or three (days) a week, which is less than I usually do. But I’m still confident that I’ll be ready to go.”
The Seahawks’ quarterback is feeling better these days, and the team is starting to look familiar.
“I am happy I had the surgery,” Hasselbeck said. “I am happy that the surgery went so well and that I haven’t had any setbacks.
“So far I am ahead of schedule. Early on, I was hoping to be able to throw a little bit at this camp, and now I am not really limited at all.”
Notes: In addition to the injured players who rested, several veterans were not in attendance for the first day of the non-voluntary camp. Among them were fullback Mack Strong, guard Chris Gray and wide receiver Deion Branch. Holmgren said that Branch is attending his honeymoon and is expected to be at camp today or Wednesday, while Gray is helping move his family to a permanent home in the Seattle area. … As expected, second-year player Kelly Jennings continued to work with the No. 1 defense after the release of veteran Kelly Herndon. … The current minicamp runs through Thursday this week and Monday through Thursday of next week.
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