SEATTLE — After dispatching Tennessee on Sunday afternoon, 20-13, the Seattle Seahawks now have just three days to prepare for trip to Arizona and a Thursday night game against the division-rival Cardinals.
According to several Seahawks, the short week of practice is a good thing.
“It’s fun,” said ebullient Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman with a grin. “The sooner you can get back on the field, the better. I wish we played every game back to back.”
“I’m excited that we have a quick turnaround and can get back on the field,” agreed Seahawks safety Earl Thomas.
Seattle will face a 3-3 Arizona team that is coming off a 32-20 loss at San Francisco on Sunday. The Cardinals have yet to lose at home this season with wins over Detroit and Carolina.
“(Thursday’s game) is going to be a great opportunity for both teams,” said Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant. “It’s a divisional game, so it’s going to be extra heightened. We’ll start the process (today) in terms of a game plan so we can be ready for those guys.
“It’s a great opportunity,” he added, “and we pride ourselves in taking advantage of our opportunities. We’ll be ready.”
“We have a quick week this week,” said Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. “But it will be an NFC West game, so we’re going to have to prepare the right way, make sure that we rest our bodies, get ready to go … and try to go get a win.”
Unger returns
The Seahawks are still playing with a makeshift offensive line, but it was less makeshift against Tennessee than it was a week ago. Pro Bowl center Max Unger returned after missing recent games at Houston and Indianapolis with an upper arm injury.
“I felt good,” Unger said. “I had two weeks off … so everything was good.”
The Seahawks are still without starting tackles Russell Okung and Breno Giacomini. Okung has a toe injury and will be out at least until a Nov. 17 home game against Minnesota. Giacomini, who had a minor knee procedure, should return before that.
Carroll said the offensive line was “solid” against Tennessee. “A good job of pass protection, and they gave Russell a ton of time. He was able to sit back there and see what he needed to see, and run when he wanted to as opposed to when he had to.”
Lemuel Jeanpierre replaced Unger the last two weeks, “and I thought Lem did a tremendous job,” Wilson said. “But when you have a Pro Bowl center in Max Unger it really makes a difference. … His skill level is just unbelievable. He’s a tremendous center.”
Locker returns
Former University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker was on the Tennessee sidelines for Sunday’s game, albeit in street clothes after a recent hip injury. Locker, who was walking slowly and with a slight limp, is still weeks away from returning for the Titans.
Locker was not available to talk with the media after the game.
Injury update
Defensive end Chris Clemons left the game early with what Carroll called a hyperextended elbow. X-rays were negative, but with the Seahawks playing on Thursday this week, that could affect Clemons’ availability.
“He has a sore elbow right now,” Carroll said. “Coming back on Thursday, that might be hard. We’ll see what happens.”
Carroll said safety Kam Chancellor has a sore ankle, but that there were no other injuries of note. Tight end Zach Miller, who has missed two games with a hamstring injury, will “be back next week for sure,” Carroll said. “He was all but ready for this one. That will be great to get him back.”
Chest bump goes awry
In a happy Seattle locker room after the game, several players were chuckling about a chest bump by Thomas that put Chancellor on the turf.
Late in the fourth quarter, Tennessee quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick tried to connect with wide receiver Damian Williams. The pass was overthrown, but Thomas still made a crunching hit on Williams before running several yards downfield in joyous celebration.
Returning to the Seattle huddle, he met Chancellor and put him down with a jubilant chest bump.
“It was just adrenalin pumping,” Thomas said. “You’re excited, you’re enjoying your teammates, and stuff like that happens. But (Chancellor) is way too big to be falling like that. He’s got to stay up.
“I might be short, but I’m strong,” said the 5-foot-10 Thomas. “Especially when my adrenalin is pumping.”
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