Hasselbeck hands off, holds off as elbow heals

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Based on Wednesday afternoon’s practice, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck looks ready to hand off the ball.

When he’ll be able to throw the ball is still up in the air.

Hasselbeck, who suffered an injury to his right elbow in Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets, was limited in his first practice of the week. He did not throw any passes, but saw some time handing off in running drills.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” said Hasselbeck, who has no structural damage to the elbow. “I haven’t tested out anything in terms of throwing, but I’m confident that it will be OK.”

Hasselbeck added that he has not been told whether he’ll be cleared to throw today. He’s listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, meaning he has a 75 percent chance of playing.

“As I mentioned Monday, I think we dodged a little bit of a bullet with him,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “Now, his arm is still sore, but he’ll be OK. I’m pretty sure he’ll be OK.”

Receiver Robinson returns

Wide receiver Koren Robinson, who has missed the past five games, was back on the practice field.

He missed the past four games because of an NFL suspension and was benched for the Nov. 21 game against Miami because he violated a team rule.

“I was just looking forward to coming back out here and helping the team get to the playoffs,” said Robinson, whose four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy came to an end after Sunday’s loss to the Jets.

Robinson worked as the No. 1 flanker at practice, but only because starter Darrell Jackson took the day off to rest. Robinson and Jerry Rice are expected to split time at the split end position, although no decision has been announced on who will start Sunday.

Solid vote for Willingham

Arizona Cardinals head coach Dennis Green believes the University of Washington got a good football coach this month.

Green was Willingham’s boss at Stanford and with the Minnesota Vikings in the early 1990s before taking over in Arizona this year. He believes his former assistant will thrive with the Huskies.

“I think Notre Dame’s loss is (UW’s) gain,” Green said during a conference call. “I don’t think they appreciated him. There is nothing worse to a coach than feeling underappreciated.”

Green said that Willingham knows the “lay of the land,” which was part of what helped him recruit to Stanford. Willingham will have a wider pool of talent without the Ivy League-like academic restrictions he had at the Bay Area school.

“I remember the years I was at Stanford. I don’t think we ever beat (the Huskies) at Washington because you had too many guys from California,” said Green, who coached Stanford from 1989-91. “He will get that pipeline into California again.”

Win another for mother

If the Seahawks can hold off the Cardinals this weekend, they might have Carol Alexander to thank for it.

Running back Shaun Alexander said that the Seahawks have lost one time in seven or eight tries when his mother attends a game. She’ll be in town for the holidays and at Qwest Field on Sunday.

Injury update

Darrell Jackson was one of eight Seahawks held out of practice.

Also missing were wide receiver Jerheme Urban (foot), defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs (ankle) and defensive end Grant Wistrom (knee), none of whom will play against the Cardinals.

Cornerback Bobby Taylor (knee) and linebacker Tracy White (hamstring) are doubtful. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (knee) and linebacker Chad Brown (foot) are questionable.

Quick slants

Rookie Niko Koutouvides opened with the No. 1 defense at practice, but there was no word as to whether he would replace Orlando Huff in the starting lineup Sunday. … Linebacker Curtis Randall was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. His roster spot will probably be filled by Koren Robinson, who doesn’t need to be added to the active roster until Saturday to be eligible for the Arizona game.