RENTON — The already banged-up Seahawks suffered another injury during practice this week, and as a result, the return game will change when Seattle plays at Carolina Sunday.
In addition to the players who were expected to be out this week — Seahawks coach Pete Carroll had ruled out fullback Derrick Coleman, tight end Zach Miller, center Max Unger, linebacker Bobby Wagner and defensive tackle Jordan Hill earlier in the week—the Seahawks also will play without receiver Bryan Walters, the team’s primary kick and punt returner, who suffered a concussion hitting his head on the turf in Wednesday’s practice.
While Carroll wouldn’t definitely say who will take over those duties, signs point to receiver Doug Baldwin handling kickoffs, something he has done in the past, and rookie receiver Paul Richardson returning punts.
“Doug is involved in the returns, Paul Richardson is involved in the returns,” Carroll said. “All of our guys who have been in the backup positions will be ready to go.”
Baldwin, who from time to time likes to stand in the background to listen in on press conferences, heard that comment from Carroll and jokingly said, “Stop lying,” before heading into the locker room, to which Carroll responded, “He just wants to do both, he’s going to do one of them.”
Carroll said Richardson also isn’t a candidate to do both jobs, so if you consider that Baldwin has a history of returning kickoffs, and that Richardson was one of several players to practice punt returns in training camp, and has never been mentioned as a kick-return option, it’s probably safe to assume that Baldwin will be the primary kick returner, and Richardson the punt returner.
Other injuries
While there hasn’t been much in the way of good injury news for the Seahawks, Carroll did have a positive update on defensive lineman Michael Bennett, whose Thursday addition to the injury report had fans worried. “He’s fine, he practiced full-out today,” Carroll said.
The Seahawks’ injury-depleted secondary will again be without starting cornerback Byron Maxwell, who is still recovering from a calf strain.
“He’s not quite making it, but he’s getting closer,” Carroll said. “He’s doing a lot of activity, and I would think next week he has a chance to get back.”
That means Tharold Simon, who left last week’s game with an ankle injury but practiced all week, will get the start again at right corner.
Carroll said Unger, who will be missing a third straight game with a foot injury, is running and “should have a great chance of getting back” when the team returns to practice next week.
Fullback Derrick Coleman, who fractured his foot in pregame warmups, underwent surgery this week, meaning he will be out for a while.
“He got operated on, so that’s a six-week recovery,” Carroll said. “K.J. (Wright) made it back in five (last season), so it’s a long haul.”
Carroll said they have not yet decided if they’ll keep a roster spot open for Coleman while he’s out or put him on injured reserve, but for this week, running back Robert Turbin will again be their fullback.
Tight end Luck Willson will be back after sitting out last week’s game with a groin injury: “Luke had a great week, yeah. He worked really well and we’re happy to see what he did, he made a real quick return.”
There’s still no timetable on linebacker Bobby Wagner, who is recovering from a turf toe injury, but Carroll said they hope to know more after the linebacker sees a specialist this weekend.
“He’s going to see the doctor this weekend, then we’ll know a lot more,” Carroll said. “We don’t know much about what it is right now. It’s going to be a while though, he’s in a cast. We’ll know more after the weekend.”
No trade this week
Just after the Seahawks left the team facility for the airport last week, word of the Percy Harvin trade leaked out, so before his team headed to the airport this week, Carroll was asked, just in case, if anyone had been traded or was going to be traded between now and Sunday’s game.
“No, we’re in good shape,” Carroll said. “But we’ll let you know.”
Seahawks ‘very together’
A week that began with a loss in St. Louis, then continued with reports and rumors of a divided locker room in the wake of the Percy Harvin trade, is almost over, and despite all the attention on the Seahawks this week, Carroll said his team is in a good place as it heads to Carolina for Sunday’s game.
“I noticed that they’re very together and very connected on everything we’re doing,” Carroll said. “That was an impact we took last week, and I think the guys have come back very determined to show that they’re ready to move ahead and make this a successful season. Their energy, their attention to detail, the way they’re hanging out and getting along looks great, it looks just like it should.”
Asked if he talks to his team about the outside scrutiny that comes with being the defending champ, Carroll said he does: “Without question we have. We’ve talked about that for a long time. Really I’m not surprised by whatever the perspective is that comes our way. People are trying to figure stuff out, whether we’re winning every game or not, that just comes along with it. We have hopefully embraced that in a sense, and we’re not surprised by it. It’s not as comfortable sometimes when the topics come up, the media can come up with whatever they want in terms of asking questions and challenging, and they’re going to scrutinize us highly. We expect that.”
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com
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