Spencer returns to practice for Seahawks

By Eric D. Williams | The News Tribune • Published August 19, 2008

RENTON — Although his activity was limited, just having Chris Spencer in uniform and on the practice field Monday brought a hint of a smile to the usually stern facade of Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren.

Now the 6-foot-3, 312-pound center has to get healthy enough to play.

“He didn’t do much, but it’s nice to have him back,” Holmgren said. “He’s improved, so that’s encouraging.”

Spencer had been unable to practice since the opening of training camp because of a lower back injury. But after changing his treatment a week ago, Spencer said his back strengthened enough that he could return to the field Monday morning, the team’s first full day of practice at its new practice facility in Renton.

Spencer is in the fourth season of a five-year, $7.5 million deal he signed as a rookie. He started all 16 games last season at center, and has started in 28 straight games at center, including the playoffs, for the Seahawks.

Spencer said he played through pain last season. He had offseason surgery to repair both shoulders and the thumb on his snapping hand (right).

Spencer suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder before the 2007 season started. He said he snapped with his right hand and then initiated contact with his right shoulder because of the injury to his left shoulder.

“It was kind of one of those things where mentally I had to push through it,” Spencer said about being banged up in 2007. “After the first game it really settled in for me that I had to bear down and get things done with one arm.”

Spencer’s absence was felt more strongly because second-string center Chris Gray retired during training camp because of a career-ending back injury. But with Spencer out, Steve Vallos stepped in and was a solid player in the first two exhibitions.

“It’s obviously not an ideal situation to lose your first stringer and second stringer,” Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. “I think we have worked hard in making it a non-factor. At least for me when I played in the Minnesota game it was a non-factor.”