Hawks Notebook | It's nothing more than mild bruise for Hasselbeck

KIRKLAND — Mike Holmgren was incredulous at the attention generated for what he perceived to be such a minor injury.

But even the Seahawks coach understood that anything involving your starting quarterback, who has already spent a month out of action with another injury, is bound to be big news in Seahawks Nation.

Hasselbeck doesn't appear to have a broken finger, as was reported by a local television station Tuesday. He did, however, hurt his hand in the game Monday night, although when it happened is not clear. Holmgren said it was the first quarter, Hasselbeck said the second.

Holmgren pointed to an area on the upper palm of his left hand to display where Hasselbeck's injury is. It's a spot in between the index and middle fingers but not the fingers themselves.

"It's a bruise," Holmgren said.

Hasselbeck wore a glove over his left hand in practice Wednesday — he throws with his right hand — and took just one snap, by accident as he put it. The rest of the time he was either handed the ball or kept one in his hands. His throws looked strong.

"It's really not a big thing," Hasselbeck said. "Not a big deal. Like my dad said, it's on my left hand, suck it up."

The hand became swollen, so the team elected to keep Hasselbeck from taking snaps. He needs both hands to catch the snap.

Hasselbeck, who is listed as probable to play Sunday, said he thinks he'll take snaps today in practice.

And Holmgren said, "I don't think that will be an issue. Not by the time we play the football game."

No ducking the heat

Tight end Jerramy Stevens was booed Monday night for a pair of dropped passes as the Qwest Field crowd clearly expressed frustration at Stevens' up-and-down play.

Stevens heard the boos. And fans haven't stopped berating the former first-round draft choice this week. Stevens addressed the situation Wednesday after practice.

"It was like it's been over and over again in my life," Stevens said of his Monday night experience. "I get knocked down, but I'm going to keep fighting. That's how it goes, man. It doesn't always go my way, but I'm not going to stop fighting. Everybody on the team knows that. The coaches know that. It's unfortunate the fans don't."

Did the boos affect him?

"It doesn't, because it's something I've been through since I was 18 years old," Stevens said. "I feel like I'm used to it. I use it as motivation."

Holmgren didn't stop believing in Stevens on Monday night after the drops. He called a play for a two-point conversion pass and went back to Stevens for a 3-yard touchdown catch to seal the Seahawks' 34-24 victory.

"I went to him purposely in the end," Holmgren said. "I need him to play well down the stretch ... the team does. And you know, not necessarily that his confidence was shaken, but heck, no one likes to hear those things. You're at home, for Pete's sakes."

Stevens thanked his coach for going back to him.

"He just said thanks for hanging in there with me," Holmgren said. "He came over and he thanked me for calling the play. I said, 'You're welcome, you know. I'm glad you caught it.' But I thought, those little moments there, that's the fun of coaching."

Stevens said Wednesday he was truly grateful for the chance to atone for his mistakes.

"He knows that I'm not going to ever stop fighting," Stevens said. "Sometimes I don't make the play, but it's not because I'm not trying. I appreciate that he doesn't lose confidence in me."

Injury update

Center Robbie Tobeck is out of the hospital and will be evaluated next Monday to see how he has recovered from a left hip infection.

Tobeck was diagnosed with an abscess in his hip last week and has not played the past three games.

He'll have tests Monday, but beyond that there is no specific timetable for his return.

Right tackle Sean Locklear (left ankle sprain) will be a game-time decision.

Tight end Itula Mili suffered a concussion Monday, and Holmgren said he still showed affects of that injury. Mili is questionable, and neither he nor Locklear practiced Wednesday.

Wide receiver Darrell Jackson (right knee) is probable but missed practice Wednesday. So did defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, who is questionable with a right foot injury.

Wide receiver Bobby Engram practiced and is probable, but Holmgren said Engram isn't likely to play Sunday.

The Seahawks moved fullback Josh Parry to injured reserve with a foot injury and signed tight end Ben Joppru to fill the roster spot.

Parry has missed the past three games with a foot injury. He was acquired in a trade from Philadelphia before the season began.