Watters’ toe hurting, but he still should start

By SCOTT M. JOHNSON

Herald Writer

KIRKLAND – Mike Holmgren wanted to get a better look at rookie running back Shaun Alexander, but not this way.

Alexander has been the Seattle Seahawks’ feature back at practices this week while starter Ricky Watters rests an injured toe. Watters re-aggravated a month-old injury on the artificial turf at the Georgia Dome last Sunday, but it is not expected to put his 110-game streak of consecutive starts – the longest among active running backs – in jeopardy.

Watters has not been added to the Seahawks’ injury list and is expected to be in the lineup when Seattle faces the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium on Sunday.

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Watters suffered the injury in a Oct. 29 loss to Kansas City and missed two practices the following week. But until this week, he had not missed another practice or game.

“You know he’s going to be there,” wide receiver Sean Dawkins said of Watters. “He’s taking a little break, a little siesta. Most definitely, he’ll be out there.”

Watters’ current streak is the second-longest in NFL history among running backs, trailing only Walter Payton’s record of 170.

Holmgren said earlier this week that he wanted Alexander to play more in the final three games, but his comments had nothing to do with Watters’ health. Chances are, Watters will practice today and get most of the action at running back in Sunday’s game.

Trivia question: Before last Sunday’s game, which player led current Seahawks rookies in non-special teams tackles?

Brrrrrr: In preparation for this Sunday, the Seahawks practiced outdoors Thursday – despite an afternoon fog and 40-degree temperatures.

Typically, the team holds practices inside the bubble at its Kirkland facility on cold days, but Thursday’s session was meant to help the players get acclimated to the wintry temperatures at Mile High Stadium. Early weather reports call for a high of 34 degrees and a low of 6 in Denver Sunday.

Trivia answer: Wide receiver Darrell Jackson, whose six solo tackles all came after turnovers. Linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski and cornerback Ike Charlton pulled into a tie for the lead last week.