Hawks Notebook | NFC considers Laury special

KIRKLAND — Lance Laury already had been recognized by his coaches for standout special-teams play. Wednesday, the league honored the Seahawks' backup linebacker.

Laury, a second-year pro who was not drafted, was named the NFC special-teams player of the week. Laury's hit on Cincinnati kickoff returner Glenn Holt with 54 seconds left Sunday caused a fumble the Seahawks recovered. The play sealed the Seahawks' 24-21 victory.

Laury was given a game ball last season and one for Week 1 this season.

"It was very exciting," Laury of the honor. "I put that with all my teammates, because without them, it wouldn't have been there for me to do that. I was like, 'Wow!' "

Teammate Alvin Pearman, who also was in on the play, kidded with Laury about his designation.

"I told him he could have the tackle, but I said I'll take the forced fumble," Laury said.

Laury was considered on the bubble for making the team coming out of the exhibition season.

"I will say this, once the season started, he has been very good, really good," coach Mike Holmgren said. "And not just that one play that gave us the game last week. And I'm happy for him. He's really a happy-go-lucky, good guy, hard-working guy. Happens to play a position now that we have some depth, otherwise he might be playing a little bit more."

Cornerback love

Holmgren had a pat on the back for his two cornerbacks, Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings. He said both players gave it everything they had despite the combined 21 catches for 279 yards by Cincinnati's T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson.

"Marcus, he's having the type of start Matt [Hasselbeck] is having on offense," Holmgren said. "They battled like crazy. It's just that they're [the Bengals duo] so explosive that if you can prevent them from scoring a 60-yard touchdown pass then you're ahead of the game.

"It put a lot of pressure on Kelly Jennings, really. We talk about Marcus, but Kelly Jennings, I love the little guy for that. He battled. He is a guy that will give you absolutely everything he has every day."

Injury update

Holmgren said wide receiver D.J. Hackett could be out at least until after the Seahawks' bye week, Oct. 28, with his high ankle sprain.

The good news was that running back Maurice Morris and wide receiver Ben Obomanu practiced for the first time in several weeks.

Also, linebacker Kevin Bentley returned from a back injury that forced him out of the game last week.

Notes

• Holmgren had a few choice words for his team about dropped passes at the end of practice Wednesday.

• Five San Francisco starters were either limited or held out of practice because of injury — left guard Larry Allen, left tackle Jonas Jennings, free safety Mark Roman, defensive tackle Bryant Young and cornerback Walt Harris.