KIRKLAND – Andre Dyson’s first season with the Seattle Seahawks has been a little bit like a scratched record album.
Just when he gets into a groove, things come screeching to a halt with ear-piercing suddenness.
Such was the case again Wednesday, when Dyson saw his NFC defensive-player-of-the-week honor overshadowed by the news that he’ll probably miss the remainder of the season. The 26-year-old cornerback is nursing a high ankle sprain that should keep him out until at least the end of the regular season.
“I think it is safe to say he is out for the rest of the regular season, which is four weeks,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “Where that actually goes, and how long the injury goes, we have to cross that bridge later.”
Dyson suffered the injury on his second return touchdown of Monday’s 42-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, turning his ankle beneath the weight of would-be tackler Ryan Moats as he crossed the goal line. Dyson was on crutches after the game, but X-rays came up negative.
Holmgren was not certain Wednesday about when or if Dyson would be available come playoff time.
“Bad news today,” Holmgren said Wednesday, “because he had a great game (against the Eagles). We are a little thin in the secondary anyway.”
Already without cornerback Kelly Herndon and safeties Ken Hamlin and John Howell, the Seahawks are even more emaciated now that Dyson is sidelined. Herndon will eventually return to the starting lineup, but he is expected to miss another week or two with an injured left knee.
Marcus Trufant will continue to start at one cornerback position, with the other starting spot for this Sunday’s game against San Francisco expected to go to second-year player Jordan Babineaux or five-year veteran Jimmy Williams. Babineaux has never started an NFL game, while Williams’s only six starts came last season while he was a member of the 49ers.
Babineaux seems a more likely candidate, mainly because of his production as a fill-in cornerback this season. He has seen extensive action at nickel back while Dyson has been hobbled by a neck stinger, a pulled hamstring and a strained back muscle.
Babineaux has three interceptions this year, the most notable of which came in the final minute of a game against Dallas to set up the game-winning field goal. Babineaux, whom teammates call Big Play Babs because of his propensity to be in the right place at the right time, also forced a fumble to help secure a 37-31 win over St. Louis on Oct. 9.
Holmgren is confident that Babineaux can hold his own.
“It’s tough duty because we’re missing two of our corners, two corners that have started for us,” Holmgren said. “That’s stretching it a little bit. But Jordan, I have confidence in his ability to do this. He has had a good year.”
Babineaux said he’ll be ready for the challenge of what could be his first NFL start.
“For me, this is a big opportunity,” he said Wednesday. “Most of all, this week my preparation is going to be most important. The way I prepare and the way I break down (the 49ers) is going to be the key to my success.”
Williams, a return specialist who spent his first four seasons with San Francisco, would love the opportunity to start against his former team. But he’ll just be satisfied to see some extended playing time on defense.
“I’ve been waiting,” said Williams, who had an interception during the fourth quarter of Monday night’s game. “But there’s no impatience on my part. We’ve got guys who are capable of playing.
“It’s about knowing your role and following through with your role. It just so happens that a couple guys have gone down, and my role has changed a little bit, but I’m up for the challenge.”
Both Williams and Babineaux will have their hands full trying to fill in for this week’s NFC defensive player of the week. Dyson gave Seattle a 14-0 lead in Monday’s game after intercepting a Mike McMahon pass and running 72 yards for a touchdown. After the Seahawks extended that lead to 35-0 at halftime, Dyson struck again with a 25-yard return of a fumble recovery 15 seconds into the second half.
On the second touchdown, Moats grabbed Dyson’s jersey near the goal line and dragged him down as the cornerback went into the end zone, twisting his ankle in the process. Teammates Trufant and D.D. Lewis carried Dyson off the field.
With Dyson sidelined for at least four more weeks, the Seahawks are hoping to carry on without him.
“When guys go down, you never want a downfall,” Babineaux said. “Guys have to step in, and we have to keep on rolling.”
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