Hasselbeck might sit one out

BY FRANK HUGHES | The News Tribune • Published October 11, 2008

RENTON - Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has not had his full contingent of wide receivers all season long.

Now it appears as if they won't have him.

After Hasselbeck missed practice for a third straight day with a hyperextended knee suffered in last Sunday's loss to the New York Giants, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren on Friday said it is unlikely that the quarterback will be able to play against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday because the injury has not responded to treatment.

With top backup Seneca Wallace incurring a calf injury earlier in the week, Holmgren said Charlie Frye will probably start against the team Holmgren once took to a Super Bowl title.

"The thing has just not responded," Holmgren said. "He still can't do much with his leg. It is not ligaments, it is nothing like that, it is just sore. He doesn't have the green light yet to play."

Holmgren was holding out hope that Hasselbeck would recover before Sunday's game against the Packers, which was evident when Hasselbeck emerged from the training room on Friday and joined his teammates on the field with a play sheet in his hands, following along with the offense's practice reps.

But Holmgren also sounded a bit skeptical, in part because Hasselbeck has not had any practice time the entire week.

"I have made the statement that if you don't practice all week you don't play. But I have to feel like he is not too vulnerable" before clearing him to play, Holmgren said.

Hasselbeck was in the locker room after practice and was not made available to speak with reporters about his situation.

There is the distinct chance that the 1-3 Seahawks will have only one healthy quarterback available for a game that they virtually have to win if they want to remain in contention for a playoff spot.

Wallace aggravated a calf injury before Wednesday's practice, and while he returned on Friday he was clearly limited by the injury.

Holmgren said he thought he would have Wallace available, and Wallace said he wants to play.