Dungy news affects Seahawks’ mood

KIRKLAND, Wash. – The excitement of Saturday’s big game was tempered by sad news Thursday, when it was announced that the 18-year-old son of Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy was found dead in a Florida apartment.

While details of James Dungy’s death were still pending an autopsy, his father flew to Florida while his Colts prepared for the game against the Seattle Seahawks. Assistant head coach Jim Caldwell was handling Dungy’s duties and is expected to lead the team on Saturday, according to what Colts president Bill Polian told Indianapolis reporters.

The news of James Dungy’s death sent shockwaves throughout the league, including Seattle, where Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren led his team in prayer after practice.

“As a parent, that’s the toughest news you can get,” Holmgren told reporters afterward. “The Holmgren family prayed for Tony and mourned this morning. It’s tough.”

The news was also hard to take for team president Tim Ruskell and defensive tackle Chartric Darby, both of whom knew James Dungy from their days in Tampa Bay.

“I remember him as a tall kid who had a (growth) spurt, and all of a sudden he was over 6 feet,” said Ruskell, who worked in the Buccaneers’ front office while Tony Dungy coached in Tampa Bay from 1996 through 2001. “A quiet, great kid.

“I just feel devastated for Tony and his family. We were so tight-knit, such a great group to work with. I just can’t imagine what he’s going through.”

Injury update

Darby (knee), wide receiver Darrell Jackson (knee) and safety John Howell (hamstring) will be game-time decisions after sitting out practices all week.

Jackson had swelling on his knee after Sunday’s game, which marked the first time he’d played in 11 weeks.

“His knee was a little swollen, but it’s OK,” Holmgren said. “We have to decide how we’re going to do that.”

Starting outside linebacker D.D. Lewis practiced all week and is expected to play after missing the past two games with a sore knee.

Cornerbacks Andre Dyson (ankle) and Kelly Herndon (knee) are out.

Strong support from Holmgren

Holmgren was overjoyed with Wednesday’s news that fullback Mack Strong had been selected to the Pro Bowl.

“I thought it was tremendous,” Holmgren said. “I was so, so happy for him. But now he wants more plays. He wants me to give him the ball.

“We ran a draw (at practice) and he made three different moves. I said, ‘Don’t do that. You wouldn’t have made those moves two days ago. Now that you’re a Pro Bowl player, you think you’re Swivel Hips.’ “

Notes

Game balls from Sunday’s win over the Titans were handed out to Mack Strong (offense), linebacker Kevin Bentley (defense) and special teamer Josh Scobey. … Among the attendees at practice were the CBS broadcast team of Phil Simms and Jim Nance, who will do Saturday’s game, and ex-Mariners player John Olerud.