Morris ready to step up if needed

KIRKLAND, Wash. – In front of cameras or while talking to anyone besides his teammates, Maurice Morris is shy – an unassuming man about to assume a larger role in the Seahawks’ middling season.

“It happened last year, I had to step in,” Morris said of replacing injured Shaun Alexander as the lead running back.

Following Thursday’s practice for Monday night’s home game against the San Francisco 49ers, Morris deflected questions outside the team headquarters about spending this week of practice as the lead running back because Alexander has been out with a twisted left knee and ankle, to go with his broken left wrist.

“When his number is called, he’s got that ability to make plays,” Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones said of Morris. “Hopefully, he can make some plays when he gets the opportunity.”

It may happen on Monday. Coach Mike Holmgren is waiting to see if Alexander is able to practice today before deciding whether to rest him for one game.

Ever since he arrived from Oregon as a second-round draft choice in 2002, Morris has been the slashing complement to Alexander’s far more measured running style.

“He plays the game a certain way. He hits things pretty quick,” Holmgren said.

Last season, Morris ran for a career-high 604 yards while starting eight games, six while Alexander was out with a broken foot. He had consecutive 100-yard games, including a career night of 138 yards on 30 carries in a win over Oakland.

“A lot of people didn’t know if I could carry the workload,” Morris said. “But being able to play four quarters and carry the ball as many times as I did in one game proved I could get the job done.”