Hawthorne may take Hill’s place

RENTON – Last season, David Hawthorne was on the field in place of Lofa Tatupu, filling in at middle linebacker for the Pro Bowler whose season ended early with a torn pectoral muscle.

This spring, Hawthorne is again working with the Seahawks’ first-team defense, only now he is playing alongside the veteran linebacker who mentored him from the sideline last season.

Hawthorne, a middle linebacker during his college career at Texas Christian and in his first two seasons as a Seahawk, is learning a new position, playing weakside linebacker in place of Leroy Hill, who has been away from the team since being arrested and charged with domestic violence last month. And while Hawthorne doesn’t know if the move will be permanent – the Seahawks have made no definitive statements when it comes to Hill’s future –for now he is enjoying the switch.

“Every time I go out there and get more reps, it gets more comfortable,” said Hawthorne, who came into the league as an undrafted free agent two seasons ago.

Locklear absent

Sean Locklear, the team’s likely starter at right tackle, was not at Monday’s voluntary practice, and it appears he had a good reason. According to the website for the Overlake Service League, a Bellevue-based charity, Locklear was celebrity chair for a charity golf tournament.

Losman back

Quarterback J.P. Losman practiced with the team for the first time since signing last week, and is happy to be back in the league after spending last season with Las Vegas of the United Football League.

“I’m very fortunate for this opportunity. I’m very excited,” he said. “… They’re letting everybody … compete, and that’s all you can ask for.”

Losman, a first-round pick in 2004, started 33 games with the Buffalo Bills over four seasons.

“He has a major league arm,” Carroll said. “He’s got a terrific arm.”