Warren Returning To Starting Lineup
Chris Warren, a three-time Pro Bowler, is back in the Seattle Seahawks’ starting lineup.
Coach Dennis Erickson announced Wednesday that Warren, the No. 2 rusher in franchise history, will be Seattle’s starting running back Sunday against Denver.
Warren, 29, has been on the Seahawks’ bench at the start of the game the past two weeks after missing a game with a pulled hamstring in his left leg. He has 24 career 100-yard rushing games, but doesn’t have one this season.
“It’s been good as far as we’re winning as a team and that’s the most important thing,” Warren said of his start and Seattle’s 5-3 record at the halfway point of the season. “I’ve always said in years past when I was gaining 1,000 yards that I would trade that anyway for some victories.
“Well, my yards are down so I guess somebody took me up on that.”
Steve Broussard, who started against Oakland last Sunday, will be Warren’s backup. He has Seattle’s only 100-yard rushing game of the season.
The Seahawks waived quarterback Gino Torretta and signed safety Eric Stokes from their practice squad.
Vikings on the block
The Minnesota Vikings have been on sale secretly for at least two months and have already met with four out-of-state prospective buyers, according to a published report.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, citing vice chairman and part owner Philip Maas and a second team source, reported the groups interested in the team represent Los Angeles; Toronto; Birmingham, Ala.; and one other unidentified area.
The paper said of the four potential buyers, it is believed the unidentified bidder intends to keep the team in the Twin Cities.
Around the league
Robert Smith will miss Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots and could be out even longer because of ligament damage in his right ankle, the latest in a long line of injuries for the Vikings’ star-crossed running back.
Smith also could miss the following week’s game against Chicago, and although the Vikings say the injury isn’t season-ending they are uncertain when the NFC’s No. 2 rusher will return.
Smith, who has 775 yards through eight games, has had midseason injuries each of the last three seasons that have either ended his year or severely limited his availability.
Six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Michael Dean Perry is being benched, a move that might signal the end of his 10-year NFL career. Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Perry “does not have the leg strength he used to have, and therefore he’s not playing at the level Michael Dean is capable of playing.”
Tony Bennett, one of the Indianapolis Colts’ top defensive players, has been placed on injured reserve, meaning he’s out for the season. The Colts also signed quarterback Kerwin Bell to take the roster spot of Jim Harbaugh, on the non-football injury list after chipping a bone in his right hand after an altercation with former Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly.
Middle linebacker George Koonce, the Green Bay Packers’ leading tackler last season, practiced on Wednesday for the first time since tearing a knee ligament in the playoffs in January. Koonce, who practiced in pads, said he felt fine physically and mentally.
Koonce underwent reconstructive surgery on his right knee to repair the anterior cruciate ligament on Jan. 9. The Packers now have three weeks to decide whether to activate him or put him on injured reserve, ending his season.
Mark Brunell, who dislocated the middle knuckle on his throwing hand against the Pittsburgh Steelers, wore a splint again Wednesday and was kept out of the passing drills.