KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Another week, another M*A*S*H-like stable
of Seahawks injuries.
Leading receiver Darrell Jackson, plus starting offensive
linemen Robbie Tobeck, Chris Gray and Floyd Womack, are all
questionable for Seattle's NFC wild-card playoff game Saturday
against the Dallas Cowboys.
Jackson
Jackson was leading the NFL in touchdown receptions a month ago
before he got his left foot caught in the turf Dec. 10 while an
Arizona defender jumped on him. He missed Seattle's last three
regular-season games, and did not even make the trip to his home
state for last Sunday's win at Tampa Bay.
Jackson's biggest value lost, besides 10 touchdown receptions
this season, is the unspoken understanding on improvisational pass
routes he shares with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Jackson, a
seventh-year veteran, hasn't practiced this week. But coach Mike
Holmgren said he was "holding out hope" Jackson will play.
Holmgren was hoping Jackson could test the foot in practice
Thursday. But after missing another practice Wednesday, Jackson
said there likely won't be any tests until Saturday night.
"It's going to be a game-time decision whether I am going to
play or not," Jackson said. "But every day is looking brighter
and brighter.
"It's getting better faster than I thought. I want to get out
there a lot, to help this team start a tradition of getting into
the big games, the NFC championship."
The coach said receiver D.J. Hackett is "in the same boat" as
Jackson. Hackett, who has 19 catches in his last four games after
emerging when starter Bobby Engram was sick for two months, has a
hip flexor. He is also questionable.
As for the offensive line, it remains as unsettled as it's been
all through this uneven season. Seattle has used eight starting
combinations among its interior blockers.
Tobeck, a 2005 Pro Bowl center, is back practicing -- sort of.
Tobeck worked some on Tuesday and then again Wednesday on the scout
team. And the 13-year veteran struggled.
He lost 25 pounds after an abscess in his hip landed him in the
hospital over Thanksgiving weekend. Tobeck said he's regained only
10 of those pounds.
"I was pretty dang sore today, which surprised me," said the
36-year-old who hasn't played since Nov. 6.
"I could tell I still don't have my legs with me. ... But
coming from where I was four weeks ago, it's a lot of progress.
Four weeks ago, I could barely lift 50 pounds without going home
and taking a nap."
Holmgren is waiting to see whether Gray or Womack can play
before deciding whether Spencer, Seattle's 2005 first-round pick as
a center, or Tobeck will start at center. Spencer has started five
games at left guard and the last eight at center.
Rookie Rob Sims is currently the left guard while Womack is
rehabilitating a strained right groin. Veteran Tom Ashworth, signed
last spring to be a tackle, would start for the first time this
season at right guard if Gray doesn't recover from a badly bruised
right thigh he's had for two weeks.
"The linemen will be game-time decisions," Holmgren said.
"Hopefully, they will be able to practice a little bit [Thursday].
We'll see."
The Seahawks list starting cornerback Marcus Trufant as
doubtful, but Holmgren said Trufant "obviously won't play"
Saturday. Seattle's best cover man sustained a high sprain of his
right ankle in a Dec. 24 loss to San Diego.
"At this stage of the game, either you are in or you are out,"
Holmgren said. "That was the speech I gave to them yesterday."