Injuries mounting for struggling Seahawks

As if the Seattle Seahawks didn’t have enough problems lately, they got some news Friday that could keep as many as three starters off the field for the game against Minnesota.

The most definite news involved right tackle Chris Terry, whose sore right shoulder finally got the best of him. Terry was scheduled to undergo surgery and will miss the rest of the season. Seattle’s two starting receivers, Darrell Jackson and Jerry Rice, could also miss the game. Jackson found out that his father has cancer, so he went to Florida to be with him. While Jackson is expected to join the team today and play Sunday, his father’s health situation leaves the Seahawks receivers availability in question.

In other injury news, linebacker Tracy White was downgraded from questionable to doubtful. He has missed three games with a pulled hamstring and was expected to contribute on special teams Sunday.

White and Chad Brown (knee surgery) are more likely to play in next Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

Big Ben hopes to tie Bradshaw

Ben Roethlisberger still hasn’t lost an NFL game or played an entire NFL season, yet he’s closing in on a feat only one other quarterback in Pittsburgh Steelers history has accomplished.

Roethlisberger will match Bradshaw’s longest regular-season winning streak, the 11-game run in 1975, if the Steelers (11-1) beat the New York Jets (9-3) on Sunday in Pittsburgh.

That Roethlisberger could match Bradshaw’s feat in only his 11th NFL game defies logic. But a Steelers team that was only 6-10 a season ago has been defying it nearly all season.

Philly looking to lock up bye

The Philadelphia Eagles have plenty left to accomplish in the regular season.

The NFC East champions want to earn a first-round bye in the playoffs, clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and finish with a 15-1 record.

The Eagles (11-1) will get that bye if they defeat Washington (4-8) on Sunday. They have a two-game advantage over Atlanta (9-3) for first place in the NFC, and finish with games against Dallas, at St. Louis and home against Cincinnati.

A victory over the Redskins would give the Eagles their best start in franchise history.

Holmes will return next season

Despite a knee injury that ended his season, Priest Holmes says he is “definitely 100 percent” planning to be back for 2005.

“In terms of next year, I’m excited because of the fact that it gives me an opportunity to heal up and start preparing for the 2005 season,” Kansas City’s star running back said Friday, a day after the Chiefs put him on injured reserve.

Holmes, 31, was leading the NFL in rushing and scoring when he strained ligaments in his right knee at Tampa Bay on Nov. 7.

McNair questionable

Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair sat out another practice Friday with a bruised sternum, and didn’t even try to throw even though coach Jeff Fisher said the injury is healing.

Backup Billy Volek once again took all the work with the first-team offense, and seems poised for his fifth start this season. Fisher said McNair will be a “game-time decision” before Monday night’s kickoff with the Kansas City Chiefs (4-8).