After another injury Deion Branch says he’s ready

By TIM BOOTH | • Published November 13, 2008

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RENTON — Over the last two seasons, it seems as though Deion Branch has been a spectator nearly as much as he’s been on the field for Seattle.

The injuries have seemed constant. A calf strain, followed by a foot problem; then a major knee injury and subsequent reconstruction, only to hurt his heel in his first game back.

No, Branch does not feel jinxed by the assortment of ailments that have kept him on the sidelines for 14 of his 49 games since arriving in Seattle. But the Seahawks would like to start seeing a reward for giving up a late first-round draft pick to New England at the start of the 2006 season to get the former Super Bowl MVP.

“It’s been rough. I think the biggest thing has been me coming off my ACL injury; I have been out a long time,” Branch said. “I came into the season hurt, I still haven’t been out to help my team win and we have taken a couple of losses.”

Branch is expected to make his return this week when Seattle hosts Arizona, with any fleeting hopes of making a charge in the NFC West almost gone. The Seahawks are expected to get both Branch and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck back for this week, but find themselves four games back of the division leading Cardinals.

It’ll be the first action for Branch and Hasselbeck since Oct. 5 at the New York Giants. Hasselbeck injured his knee early in that loss, and it was later discovered that a bulging disk in his back was causing weakness in his knee.

Branch bruised his heel after it was stepped on twice within three plays against the Giants. That was Branch’s first action since tearing up his knee in Seattle’s playoff loss to Green Bay in January. He lasted all of one half against the Giants, catching three passes for 31 yards before finding himself sidelined again.

Branch went full-go in practice on Wednesday and felt the affects Thursday.

“I feel it, but it’s going to be good,” Branch said. “I’ll be ready to go.”

When Branch returned in October, it capped a remarkably quick recovery from major knee surgery. Branch’s knee was shredded when he got injured against the Packers and his return came just eight months after surgery. He still doesn’t wear a brace on the left knee, choosing to go without the additional protection.

With both Hasselbeck and Branch back, the Seahawks’ passing game should be significantly improved and the offense likely will be crisper. That’s the expectation of coach Mike Holmgren and offensive coordinator Gil Haskell. In particular, Haskell believes the Seahawks will have their quickest grouping of receivers this season with Branch and Courtney Taylor — signed from the practice squad this week — available on Sunday.

“The more starters that aren’t in the training room that are on the football field, that’s better,” Hasselbeck said. “The more guys playing, it helps everybody.”

Branch has found himself open to criticism for his lack of health over the last two seasons, and the relatively average numbers he’s produced since his much-hyped debut in Week 3 of the 2006 season. He caught 53 passes during his first season in Seattle and 49 while missing five regular season games a year ago.

The Seahawks staff still has confidence in Branch. That was part of the reason he wasn’t placed on injured reserve. But they will be watching this week with a concerned eye.

“I would say, I think it’s more unlucky than anything. He’s diligent in his rehab, I know he wants to play, so now I’m happy to have him back,” Holmgren said. “And let’s all keep our fingers crossed. I mean, he hasn’t played very much in the last year and a half.”