Regulars returning to Seahawks

KIRKLAND – The mood was a little more serious, the talk a little less jovial and the practice lines a little bit shorter.

But the most obvious hint Monday that the Seattle Seahawks were getting closer to opening the regular season came not from how practice looked but from who was participating.

Linebacker Julian Peterson, defensive back Jordan Babineaux and cornerback Kelly Jennings were all back when the team started preparations for Sunday’s opener against Tampa Bay.

Coach Mike Holmgren said that Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones, who has not practiced in four weeks while resting a sore shoulder, is likely to return to the field for Wednesday’s practice.

The Seahawks are starting to look like the team that hopes to make a run at a fourth consecutive NFC West title.

With the Bucs visiting Qwest Field on Sunday, the Seahawks’ coaches and players are excited to get going.

“When this time of the year comes along, I’m tuned in,” safety Deon Grant said. “What we went through (at Monday’s practice) will be helpful, and I think it will be a key to the week (of practices) and what we do on Sunday.”

The only players who didn’t participate Monday were Jones, cornerback Josh Wilson (hip), tight end Ben Joppru (hip) and wide receiver Ben Obomanu (hamstring). Of that group, Holmgren said, only Obomanu appears to be in jeopardy of missing Sunday’s game.

The most-watched health situation involves Jones. He hasn’t practiced or played since the Aug. 12 preseason game at San Diego, and yet both he and Holmgren believe he’ll be ready Sunday.

” feel good. I’m just glad to be back with the guys,” he said.

Of the time off, Jones added: “It helped a lot. It calmed (the injury) down. We’re taking the right steps to get it ready for the season. That’s the most important thing: getting ready for the season.”

The Seahawks have been careful with some of their starters this preseason, which is part of the reason that Peterson (two weeks due to a sore right knee) and Jennings (eight days due to a bruised right leg) took extended time off.