Matt Hasselbeck is carrying a heavy load on his balky back

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Matt Hasselbeck's interview was over.

Not the questions, though.

Not after the quarterback who missed three exhibition games because of back spasms failed to complete seven of his first eight passes in a 34-10 loss in Buffalo. Not after a day that began with ESPN's report that Hasselbeck was suffering from a bulging disk in his back and had received an injection.

There's a lot that still must be answered in this season that is relying so heavily upon a quarterback whose back is the subject of scrutiny.

So much depends upon Hasselbeck. Deion Branch is recovering from knee surgery, Bobby Engram is out at least another two games with a broken shoulder, and Nate Burleson injured his knee in the third quarter on Sunday and will be re-evaluated.

All that leaves Hasselbeck shouldering a burden that would make Atlas wince, and on Sunday, one of the biggest questions was whether he's trying to do all of that with a back that looks like Lombard Street.

"I'm definitely healthy," Hasselbeck said. "Just a little frustrated and disappointed."

Well, he did suffer from back spasms and miss half of training camp. And he did receive an injection in his back, which coach Mike Holmgren said was medicine. And, of course, Hasselbeck also said a magnetic-resonance image of his back did detect a bulging disk.

But hey, other than that, everything is great.

"That's not really even what was hurting my back this year," Hasselbeck said of the disk. "From what I was told, 85 percent of the world would look the same if they MRI'd it. And it was probably years old."

So what was the problem? Something Hasselbeck didn't even want to attempt to pronounce.

"Big words," Hasselbeck said. "But it was really minor in terms of the injuries I've had."

Cue Holmgren and his coaching catchall.

"He tweaked his back," Holmgren said.

Ah, yes, the tweak. Holmgren did not clarify where that diagnosis ranks in overall terms of severity. Is it worse than a ding? Less serious than a nick? One thing's for sure — the coach was clear to point out the whole inquiry over Hasselbeck's back is overblown.

"It's not a big deal," Holmgren said.

Of course, Hasselbeck's arm might actually have to detach from his shoulder before the coach would concede his quarterback was affected by any serious ailment.

And while Hasselbeck certainly wasn't sharp Sunday, that was neither a shock nor entirely his fault. He was missing his security blanket in Engram, the Seahawks started a rookie at tight end, and three of the four receivers on the active roster entered the NFL last season. The one with the most experience — Burleson — caught five passes before his knee injury.

Holmgren counted six passes that were dropped. Courtney Taylor had one that would have been a certain first down. Backup tight end Jeb Putzier had at least one. The offensive line didn't provide consistent protection. The Bills sacked Hasselbeck five times, and his offense needed six possessions before it crossed midfield.

Bruised? Maybe. Broken? Hardly, said Hasselbeck.

"I know that I'm going to keep my head up," he said. "I know that better days are ahead."

And after the interview ended, Hasselbeck bent over and picked up a leather duffel bag that sat at his feet.

As far as Hasselbeck's burdens go this season, one carry-on bag isn't all that big a deal. But it was something, and on an afternoon when so little went right for Seattle's offense, it was at least a small sign that he's not going to buckle as the weight of this offense sits squarely upon his shoulders.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com