Alexander out another couple weeks

The on-again, off-again status of Shaun Alexander’s broken left foot has Seattle Seahawks fans stomping up and down again this week.

Coach Mike Holmgren said Monday that Alexander is likely to miss two more weeks due to the injury that has already cost the Pro Bowl running back two games.

“Some people have put players out on the field a little bit earlier,” said Holmgren, who initially thought Alexander might be back this week. “But with Shaun, because he’s a running back, we can’t afford to have him re-injure that, if we can avoid it. We’re just going to err on the side of caution.”

Holmgren said Alexander’s status will “probably be a week-to-week thing.”

Alexander suffered a bruised left foot in the season opener, and after the Giants game the injury was discovered to have developed into a small crack on his fourth metatarsal bone.

Holmgren said the injury has healed as expected, but he has adjusted the return date.

“I was hoping, I suppose,” Holmgren said of Alexander perhaps being ready this week. “Typically on injuries, you get parameters: two-to-six weeks, three-to-six. I understand that. I think about the shorter version, and it usually appears to be the longer one.”

Backup Maurice Morris hasn’t exactly torn it up in Alexander’s absence. He ranks 43rd in the NFL in rushing yards (175) and is averaging just 3.1 per carry.

Holmgren said he still has faith in Morris, particularly after the running back gained 70 yards on 18 carries in the second half Sunday in St. Louis.

Around the league

Defensive end Anthony Hargrove, who lost his starting job with the St. Louis Rams after skipping two days of practice and meetings last month, was traded to Buffalo for a fifth-round draft choice in 2007. … The slumping Washington Redskins addressed a problem in the secondary by signing five-time Pro Bowl defensive back Troy Vincent who was recently cut by Buffalo. … New York running back Curtis Martin will remain on the physically-unable-to-perform list until at least after the Jets’ game at Cleveland in two weeks. … Quarterback Steve McNair is expected to recover from a concussion and neck sprain sustained Sunday in time for Baltimore’s next game in two weeks. … Cornerback Phillip Buchanon was released by the Texans, ending his injury-filled and lackluster stay in Houston.