Locklear will play in NFC Championship

Seahawks right tackle Sean Locklear will play Sunday, coach Mike Holmgren announced today to open his Wednesday news conference.

Locklear was jailed on a domestic abuse charge early Sunday morning and freed without bail Tuesday. He pleaded innocent to assault stemming from an incident that occurred in downtown Seattle involving his girlfriend.

Holmgren spoke with Locklear Tuesday afternoon, and Locklear apologized to his teammates for the distraction this morning. The Seahawks play in the NFC championship game Sunday at Qwest Field.

"He was very sorry and apologized to me," Holmgren said. "He did not want anything like this to be a distraction. He really does realize that the players represent the community and he is one of the guys that would like to be a role model in this community. He realizes that this has been a negative thing in what should be a feel-good week for us."

After hearing Locklear's explanation of what happened that night, Holmgren made the decision to allow Locklear to play. He said he'll wait until after Locklear's next court date, Feb. 13, to decide whether the team will take disciplinary action.