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Danny O'Neil covers the Seahawks for The Seattle Times.

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August 14, 2008 11:38 AM

The hurt begins to heal -- 8.14.2008 A.M. edition

Defensive end Patrick Kerney, right tackle Sean Locklear, fullback Leonard Weaver and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck all returned to practice on Thursday morning.

Not that coach Mike Holmgren was holding his breath. There's only two that have really been cause for concern, which were the injuries to Bobby Engram -- who's out six to eight weeks -- and Chris Spencer, who hasn't practice since training camp began because of a sore back.

Now, the week began with only three-fourths of Seattle's roster practicing and the Seahawks had 11 players absent from Thursday's practice.

So how about it coach, you worried about the volume of injuries this year than previous seasons?

"No," Holmgren said. "The ones that I think about a lot are Engram and Spencer. The other ones, they'll come back," Holmgren said. "I think some of it is we're a lot more careful than we used to be. Not the Seahawks necessarily, but with the MRI machines and all the stuff that they get tested with, I dare say if I stuck all of you in an MRI machine, they'd say, 'Oh, geez, look at this guy's back. Look at her.' You would find stuff."

Engram's prognosis is clear. He suffered a broken bone in his shoulder and he's going to miss six to eight weeks, and the Seahawks expect him back at the end of September or beginning of October.

Spencer's situation is less clear. He underwent offseason shoulder surgery, but was on the field for the first practice. His back tightened up and he hasn't practiced since.

"He just can't do some stuff now," Holmgren said. "The pain won't let him."

Holmgren said the team began a new course of treatment three days ago.

"Each day he has gotten better," Holmgren said. "I'm hopeful, but it's one of those situations where makes the call. He's got to come back and sooner than later."

With Spencer out, Steve Vallos is the starting center. He played tackle in college, moved to guard last season and is now the first-unit center.

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Posted by Southeast Seahawk

12:15 PM, Aug 14, 2008

Glad to see some of the guys are coming back. I would still like to see Kerney and Hasselbeck sit this weekends game out. We know what Matt and Patrick can do. Let’s get Frye some game reps and let the rookies on the D-line get some work too. Maybe even put Seneca in the wide-out rotation? That guy needs to get on the field somehow. Getting Spencer back would be great although from what I’ve been reading, Vallos isn’t doing too poorly.

Posted by 12thmanforlife

1:13 PM, Aug 14, 2008

I agree. There is no reason Matt and Pat should be on the field this week. Sit Walt too. However, after seeing the Seneca played last week and how he's progressed over the years I wouldn't put him in at wr. He is too valuable as back up to Matt and he really doesn't do anything as a receiver that forces you to put him there. He's got to be one of the top back up qb's in the league.

Posted by Southeast Seahawk

1:30 PM, Aug 14, 2008

I agree with your point on Wallace, just looking to find some possible way to get him on the field. There's a lot of talent sitting on the sidelines.

Posted by 12thmanforlife

2:15 PM, Aug 14, 2008

If anything I would like to see him return punts since Nate will be busy. He is extremely talented and is just waisting away on the sideline. Just let him sit back there, get his hands on the ball and make a play. Its lot more simple than playing wr.