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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ballard Receives Good News

The magnetic resonance imaging conducted on starting right tackle Howard “House” Ballard’s right knee showed no new damage, Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson said Wednesday.

The knee that bothered the nine-year veteran last season kept him out of practice this week, but Erickson said Ballard will not have to undergo arthroscopic surgery. The MRI was done Wednesday in Seattle.

“There’s nothing new in there,” Erickson said.

Erickson said Ballard is expected to miss Saturday night’s preseason game at the Kingdome against Arizona, but should be back on the field for Monday’s practice.

Also on the ailment front, linebacker/end Chad Brown and defensive tackle Matt LaBounty were back at practice after missing Tuesday’s session because of the flu.

Defensive tackle Marc Spindler, who returned to practice Monday, was out again with a sore calf muscle.

Rookie tight end Jamal Clark sat out Wednesday with a wrist sprain, and rookie cornerback Alonzo Hampton sprained his ankle in practice.

Do I feel a draft?

The answer continues to be no, as first-round draft picks Shawn Springs of Ohio State and Walter Jones of Florida State remain unsigned.

“I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t care right now,” Erickson said. “I’ve got to get ready for this game on Saturday. Whatever happens, happens.”

Erickson added: “I’m just tired of this. It’s ridiculous. They know my message. They’re hurting themselves and the football team, and like I said before, it’s not necessarily their faults. It’s their agents’ faults.”

When asked if he had any words for the agents, Erickson said, “Not that I can repeat.”

, DataTimes