Hawks Notebook | Working through a rash of injuries

KIRKLAND — Injured players must have taken coach Mike Holmgren's words to heart.

"At this stage of the game, either you're in or you're out," Holmgren told the team after Tuesday's practice.

Many were in Thursday, though the team will make game-time decisions Saturday on the status of right guard Chris Gray (quadriceps bruise), wide receivers Nate Burleson (ankle), D.J. Hackett (hip flexor) and Darrell Jackson (turf toe), and left guard Floyd Womack (sore groin). All got some work in practice, though Jackson and Hackett were not in for team drills.

"I expect them, with the two more days [before the game] to heal up and be feeling better. But we'll have to wait and see how they feel [today]," Holmgren said.

Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (foot injury) also practiced and is probable to play.

Linebacker Leroy Hill has been upgraded from questionable to probable, and linebacker Julian Peterson missed practice because he is an expectant father.

Just catch the ball

Holmgren said he hates those Spiderman-like receivers gloves in Seahawks green. That hasn't stopped Deion Branch from wearing them in practice.

Holmgren has a long history with gloves the NFL has provided his teams.

When Holmgren was a member of the NFL's competition committee, the league would send the committee gloves they were planning to market to teams the following season. Members would try on the gloves, pass them around, and laugh at the garish colors.

Holmgren would always give the gloves the thumbs-down, and then they would show up on players' hands when they got dressed for games.

"I look over and there'd be these orange gloves all over the place," Holmgren said. "I said, 'Wait a second!' Well, by the time they showed us the gloves, the gloves have already been produced ... I thought we were making the decision. No, no. Someone way, way above me was making that decision, so we have these gloves."

Branch has several pairs of the gloves in his locker, but he knows Holmgren isn't fond of them.

"Coach Holmgren, he's cool," Branch said. "He jokes with me about it, but he's cool."

Holmgren said he didn't really care what color the gloves are, "as long as we catch the ball."

Branch spoke with former Seahawks receiver and future Hall of Famer Jerry Rice after the San Diego game. Branch said Rice told him to put the drops behind him because, as Rice told Branch, "You're a professional."

The two talk frequently. They do share a common Super Bowl distinction.

"I guess it's a little MVP thing," Branch said.

Howell's return

So what if John Howell had to borrow space in Marcus Trufant's locker stall Wednesday? He was just happy to be a Seahawk again.

Howell, a safety, didn't have his contract renewed after the 2005 season, in which he spent the final nine games on injured reserve. But when the Seahawks needed special-teams help and safety depth, they called Howell and signed him in time for the playoffs.

Howell was on his property near Fort Collins, Colo., spending time with his family and watching bowl games when he got a call from his agent. He figured it was about signing with another team in the offseason.

He thought his playing days were over after no team signed him in the regular season.

"To get that phone call and to get a chance to come back and play football, not only just play football but play here," Howell said. "I like the guys here. I like the coaches here. It's just a great atmosphere and I really missed it. I didn't realize how much I would miss it until I didn't have it anymore."

Seahawks coaches knew Howell from last season, when he played in 10 games, mainly as a special-teams contributor.

"I think they felt they could bring me in and I could play right away," Howell said

At a workout two months ago, the Seahawks decided Howell still wanted to play and was in good enough shape to come in if needed.

Howell kept in shape by operating his family's outfitting and climbing business, which involves hiking and backpacking in the area's mountains.

Note

• Game balls from last week's win went to Hackett on offense, LB Lofa Tatupu on defense and K Josh Brown for special teams.