Hasselbeck stays for three series

SEATTLE – Matt Hasselbeck played three series during the Seattle Seahawks’ only intrasquad scrimmage of the summer Saturday night.

That could be about two series more than Seattle will see its Super Bowl and Pro Bowl quarterback from the 2005 season during each exhibition game this month.

Hasselbeck said following his 12-for-17, 97-yard performance against the second-team defense at Memorial Stadium that doctors have advised him to play less than he wants to during preseason games – when rivals will be allowed to hit him, unlike Saturday.

The Seahawks’ first exhibition game is next Sunday at San Diego, almost a full seven months after Hasselbeck had surgery to attach torn labrum cartilage in his left, non-throwing shoulder. Hasselbeck has practiced without limitations through the first week of non-contact training camp, but his doctors obviously don’t want him exposed to pass rushers before he has to be – Sept. 9 against Tampa Bay.

The star of the scrimmage was D.J. Hackett, an inactive list player from last September whom the Seahawks are giving a chance to start opposite Deion Branch this month. Hackett had five catches for 65 yards – including a smooth, 39-yard catch on a perfectly in-stride pass from backup Seneca Wallace.