Backup QBs get their chance

SEATTLE — Matt Hasselbeck was itching to take part in Sunday’s practice, a controlled scrimmage at Husky Stadium, but instead Pete Carroll opted to rest his quarterback, who has a minor hamstring injury.

The result was a chance for Charlie Whitehurst and J.P. Losman to get extensive repetitions in something of a game-like atmosphere as the team went through a roughly 65-play scrimmage pitting the No. 1 offense, run by Whitehurst, against the No. 2 defense, and the second-string offense, led by Losman, against the starting defense. Whitehurst led the starting offense to a pair of touchdowns for the scrimmage’s only scores.

Whitehurst had better statistics than Losman, but he also had the benefit of playing with better talent and against the No. 2 defense.

“Those guys were composed. They knew what they were doing,” Carroll said. “Those guys are making good progress.”

In addition to Hasselbeck, the Seahawks were also without starting tight end John Carlson, though Carroll said Carlson’s oblique injury wasn’t serious and that he could have played had it been a game.

Hasselbeck is expected back for Tuesday’s practice after the team takes a day off today.