Hawks Notes: Wistrom returns to work with the 1st unit

CHENEY — There was no honeymoon period for Grant Wistrom after the Seahawks' season ended.

He was married the weekend after the Super Bowl.

No honeymoon after that, either. He underwent shoulder surgery just days after the ceremony.

The schedule was the only way Wistrom could be ready for this season, and Tuesday he took his most substantial step toward that goal when he returned to the first-unit defense, playing right end during the morning practice.

"I've been playing football since I was 7 years old, Wistrom said. It's a huge part of my life. When it's gone for a while, you just get to appreciate it when you get to go back and get out there."

He wasn't the only appreciative one. Coach Mike Holmgren was happy to see his defensive line rounding into form.

Training camp began with four of the Seahawks' top seven defensive lineman from last year recovering from injuries or surgery. Wistrom and defensive end Joe Tafoya were coming back from shoulder surgeries, tackle Rocky Bernard had his knee operated on and tackle Marcus Tubbs was recuperating from an Achilles injury. All but Tubbs are back practicing.

"Having those guys back on the field, it changes our defense a little bit," Holmgren said. "The energy is tremendous."

Wistrom, Tafoya and Bernard were on the scout-team defensive line last Friday and returned to a regular practice rotation Tuesday. Holmgren said the hope is Tubbs will be back at practice next week as the defense gains both players and momentum heading toward the start of the season with the return of players like Wistrom.

"You hate training camp and you hate practice and you hate meetings," Wistrom said. "But once you get to go back out there and do it, you realize why you do it. I love the game, and I'm just real excited to get back out there with my buddies."

Chop shop

Left guard Floyd Womack returned to practice, participating in individual drills but sitting out the team session on his first day back from a strained right hamstring suffered Aug. 9.

It is the latest in a litany of injuries for Womack, from a toe in 2003 to a strained triceps before the 2005 season began to the quadriceps he strained when he returned to the field in October.

"It's important for him to stay healthy, but it's a wait-and-see thing all the way," Holmgren said. "I'm hopeful he can do this."

Rookie Rob Sims is currently playing left guard on the first-string offense. Second-year player Chris Spencer is back at center after Robbie Tobeck underwent surgery on his elbow.

Womack will be working his way into the rotation at practice this week.

"I'm kind of rooting for him aside from the fact I believe he makes us better," Holmgren said. "But he's got to do it. He hasn't shown that he's resilient enough injury-wise."

Jackson in action

Wide receiver Darrell Jackson has started running. He just isn't quite up to running routes.

Instead, he'll be on a treadmill this week as camp concludes. The hope is he'll return to practice next week after the Seahawks return to Kirkland.

Jackson underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair damaged cartilage last October and had another procedure this offseason. He didn't participate in minicamps, and while Holmgren hoped he might be able to practice this week, it won't be until next week. Jackson, the team's No. 1 wideout, hasn't been on the field for a team workout since Super Bowl preparations.

"As long as I have him for the first game," Holmgren said of Jackson. "He's one of those veteran players who doesn't need a lot of reps in camp.

Notes

• WR Bobby Engram was excused from practice to tend to a personal matter. He flew to South Carolina after Seattle's game at Indianapolis on Sunday. He could be back at practice today.

• FB David Kirtman did not practice because of a bruised thigh.

• Jackson will make an appearance at Circuit City at Puyallup's South Hill Mall on Thursday. He will begin meeting fans at 6 p.m. Signed souvenirs will be sold, and $5,000 will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound.

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