Linebackers get bye at right time
KIRKLAND, Wash. – When it comes to the Seattle Seahawks’ linebacking corps, the bye week couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
Four linebackers were sidelined during Tuesday’s practice, with Anthony Simmons as the only starter available to practice. The Seahawks went through a short, 60-minute session that was made up mostly of individual and passing drills.
Simmons, Niko Koutouvides and Solomon Bates were the only linebackers to take part in the passing sessions. Starting middle linebacker Orlando Huff and starting outside linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski worked in some individual drills, then stepped aside to rest minor muscle pulls.
Also sidelined were special teams standout Tracy White (concussion) and outside linebacker Chad Brown, who is expected to be out at least three more weeks after suffering a broken leg.
All except Brown are slated to be back next week and should be available for the Oct. 10 game against St. Louis.
Brown, who is reportedly healing faster than expected, doesn’t want to project his return.
“I don’t want to put out a date publicly, or even to myself, because then if I don’t make it, I’ll be disappointed,” he said Monday. “The bone will heal when it heals.”
While some Seahawks were disappointed that the bye week arrived when the team was riding such an emotional high, injuries to Seattle’s linebackers and fullback Mack Strong have left the team in need of an early break.
“Some of the guys are nicked up just a little bit,” said coach Mike Holmgren said. “This bye at this time gives us a chance for the injured guys to heal up. So it’s good.”
With a limited number of players available, the Seahawks went through a short practice. They’ll return to the practice field today, and take four days off for the bye weekend.
Jackson moves up list
With 19 catches this season, wide receiver Darrell Jackson ranks fifth in the NFC in pass receiving.
Jackson has 272 career receptions, 11 behind Joey Galloway for fourth place on the franchise’s all-time list. He became the fourth Seahawks wide receiver to surpass 4,000 career receiving yards on Sunday.
“Since he plays up here in Seattle, he doesn’t get that recognition,” teammate Koren Robinson said. “But he’s put up better numbers than all the receivers taken in the (2000) draft before him. He’s a huge part of this offense.”
Quick slants
Running back Shaun Alexander needs 107 yards to surpass John L. Williams as the Seahawks’ third-leading all-time rusher. He is five rushing touchdowns shy of the career record held by Curt Warner (55). … While Seattle’s defense ranks third in the NFL in yards allowed, the high-powered offense is a modest 16th – putting up an average of 323.7 yards per game.