Holmgren helps Hawks to healthiness

Following Thursday afternoon’s practice, Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren pleaded with his hobbled troops to heal up quickly. Based on Friday’s turnout, they were listening.

Wide receiver Bobby Engram, defensive end Chike Okeafor, cornerback Ken Lucas and defensive end Grant Wistrom returned to the practice field and might be available for Sunday’s game.

Lucas is expected to play against the St. Louis Rams after suffering a bruised lung last Sunday at San Francisco. Wistrom (knee), Okeafor (neck) and Engram (ankle) will be game-day decisions.

Wistrom, who saw limited practice time with the scout team, was the least likely practice return. He has missed three weeks with a fractured bone in his left knee and was originally expected to be out at least one more week. Holmgren said Wistrom is “close, very close” to returning to the field and could be available as soon as Sunday.

The only players who missed practice were safety Ken Hamlin (knee) and tight end Itula Mili (groin), both of whom are also game-day decisions. If Hamlin can’t play, special teams standout Marquand Manuel would probably start at free safety.

Linebacker Anthony Simmons, who was listed as questionable after missing Wednesday’s practice with a hip injury, was upgraded to probable after practicing for the second day in a row.

The Seahawks signed defensive end Otis Leverette to the practice squad. Leverette has played with Miami, Washington, San Diego and San Francisco during a three-year NFL career. He was released by the 49ers on Wednesday

NFL warns Browns’ Warren

The NFL warned Browns defensive tackle Gerard Warren for comments he made about trying to hit Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the head in Sunday’s game.

“We notified the team, including Gerard Warren, that if a player commits a flagrant foul after making such a statement, it may be a decisive factor supporting the suspension of the player, depending on the entire set of circumstances,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.

Warren told reporters Thursday that the Browns needed to rattle Roethlisberger.

“One rule they used to tell me: Kill the head and the body’s dead,” Warren said.

He said if the Browns can shake the confidence in Pittsburgh’s rookie, they might be able to stun the Steelers.

“I didn’t say knock him out of the game, I said just go across his head a time or two,” said Warren, who was fined $35,000 in his rookie season for a cheap shot on former Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell.

Asked if Warren’s history factored into the warning, Aiello said: “It’s standard procedure if comments of that nature are made.”

On Friday, Warren said he was not speaking for the Cleveland organization.

“People might have taken it in the wrong sense,” he said. “That’s just me and explaining the way I approach football. I play it on a violent level and it’s a violent game.”

Davis out for Sunday’s game

Carolina Panthers running back Stephen Davis will not play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers with swelling in his knee keeping him out of his seventh game this season.

In another blow to the Panthers’ running game, Davis’ primary backup, rookie Joey Harris, pulled a hamstring in practice and also is questionable.

Panthers head coach John Fox wouldn’t say who will start if Harris doesn’t play, but fullbacks Brad Hoover and Nick Goings probably will split the load. Hoover missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with a back injury, but was upgraded to probable on Friday.

Around the league

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jermaine Phillips agreed to a four-year, $9 million contract extension with a $1 million signing bonus. … Pittsburgh Steelers running back Duce Staley missed practice for the third straight day with a sore hamstring and remains questionable for Sunday’s game in Cleveland. Verron Haynes, who often replaces Staley on third downs, is doubtful. Rookie free agent Willie Parker is expected to step in if Haynes can’t play. Fullback Dan Kreider remains questionable with a hip flexor injury.