It’s a daunting task

RENTON, Wash. – The wounded Seahawks’ date with Peyton Manning and the undefeated Indianapolis Colts is one of the most daunting challenges in Jim Mora’s four seasons as an NFL head man.

At the most fundamental level is simply having enough quality players available for Seattle.

Matt Hasselbeck’s broken rib still isn’t healthy enough, so Mora said Friday his three-time Pro Bowl quarterback is “very doubtful” to return Sunday. Hasselbeck has been out since he was hurt on a dive for the goal line in San Francisco on Sept. 20.

At least he is making the team flight to Indiana this morning. That’s more than Mora could say about Walter Jones.

The nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle will not make his season debut Sunday. The team ruled him out on its injury report. Jones has slowed his attempt to get back from two knee surgeries since last winter.

This week, Mora said the thought has crossed his mind that the 35-year-old anchor of Seattle’s offensive line for the last decade may not play at all this season.

The Seahawks (1-2) will have recent Dolphins cast-off Brandon Frye at left tackle protecting backup QB Seneca Wallace’s blind side for the second consecutive game. Frye is battling through a sore groin, leaving Mora to say it is possible the team will add a left tackle to the active roster today.

On defense, the secondary will likely be without two starting cornerbacks.

The Seahawks do have some good news: Lofa Tatupu will return Sunday. The three-time Pro Bowl pick and leader of the defense missed the loss to the Bears with a hamstring injury suffered the week before.

“We’ve still got guys who we’re looking forward to getting back, but we’re starting to fill up again, which is nice,” Mora said, referring to the 13 starters who have been banged up the last two weeks.

Tatupu’s return is timely. The middle linebacker and defensive play caller must match wits with Manning, who wins many of his plays before they begin by outsmarting a defense.

“He understands defenses almost as well as his offense. That’s dangerous,” Tatupu said.

Mora has the Seahawks ditching their usual system against a no-huddle offense, which calls for Tatupu to receive hand signals from the sideline and then relay the call by voice to the rest of the defense before the snap.

Mora knows Manning is capable of deciphering Tatupu’s calls and adjusting his play call to beat Seattle’s alignment.

So it’s hand signals and head nods among Seahawks defenders.