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

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September 5, 2008 11:42 AM

Off to Buffalo

But first, there was a morning practice in Renton, most of which LG Mike Wahle missed. Why?

"His wife had a little baby," coach Mike Holmgren said. When Wahle ran out to practice, he got an ovation from his offensive linemates and some hugs and handshakes.

UPDATE: Wahle's wife Trina had a boy, Maddox. It's the couple's second child.

Wahle could have skipped the team flight later today and left tomorrow, but he was with the team today so he's expected to leave with the large group.

Other highlights of Holmgren's post-practice comments:
-LB Lofa Tatupu, who took part in all of practice, should be OK to play Sunday.
-WR Deion Branch got a few snaps in the team portion of practice, but will not play.
"Next week a little bit more. Get him maybe into some competitive things. At some point he has to do that just so he knows he can do it," Holmgren said of Branch.
-WR Bobby Engram won't play, and it's "highly unlikely" that Sean Locklear will play. So Ray Willis gets the start at RT.
-Josh Wilson will return kickoffs, but Holmgren has yet to decide who will return punts.
-Maurice Morris "earned" his starting job at RB this week. Holmgren called him a "loyal soldier" who came into training camp in the best shape of his career.
-Holmgren said QB Matt Hasselbeck was "a little rusty on throws" earlier in the week but came on by week's end.
-The concern about starting C Chris Spencer is stamina, and Steve Vallos could spell him if needed.

One more thing: T.J. Duckett will change his number from 45 to 42 for this Sunday's game. 45 was Kenny Easley's number, and although it isn't retired, players don't wear it as a sign of respect for Easley's Ring of Honor status.

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