Seahawks | Versatile WR just not your everyday Joe

KIRKLAND — Two seasons removed from their Super Bowl year, it seems clear that the top decision-makers in the Seahawks organization never wanted to see Joe Jurevicius leave.

But leave he did in free agency just about a month after the Seahawks went to the big game and after just one year as a Seahawk. That was quite a year.

Jurevicius caught 55 passes for 694 yards and led Seattle receivers with 10 touchdowns. But the pull of his hometown, Cleveland, was his biggest motivation for departing after that season.

"He was great for us. I didn't want Joe to leave, that's for sure," Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. "He uses his size [6 feet 5, 232 pounds]. He's good at it. ... We know him pretty well, and he's a load to deal with."

Jurevicius has 20 catches for 236 yards and three touchdowns.

Hasselbeck OK,

Branch iffy

Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck looks to be back from the pulled oblique muscle he suffered in the team's last game Oct. 21. He practiced all week.

"He looked good," Holmgren said. "He threw the ball well, he threw it on time. He didn't seem to be limited at all. I don't notice any difference, really."

Hasselbeck was somewhat restricted in mobility, but only because the team limited his movement out of the pocket.

Wide receiver Deion Branch missed practice Friday and all week but will make the trip to Cleveland. However, his availability won't be known until just before kickoff.

Branch did some running on his own this week, trying to recuperate from a sprained foot. Even if sees action, Holmgren said, Branch would only get a few snaps.

Holmgren is deciding whom to start at receiver with Bobby Engram — either D.J. Hackett, who is playing for the first time since Week 1, or Nate Burleson. And it appears the team won't make any lineup changes on the offensive line, at least to start the game.

"Our whole offensive line had a good week of practice," Holmgren said.

No castaway

Running back Shaun Alexander will wear the cast over his cracked left wrist for at least another week, then have X-rays Monday. The cast is smaller than the original device.

"Everybody has injuries, and mine is just a bummer," Alexander said.

Going back East

Holmgren likes to take the team to cities with three-hour time differences two days before the game, and that was the case Friday as the team left town for Cleveland. He was asked if a later kickoff — 4 p.m. local team instead of 1 — will help the Seahawks adjust to the time-zone change.

"I hope so. It gives them a little extra chance to sleep and get adjusted to the sleeping pattern," Holmgren said.

Note

• Game balls from the Seahawks' win two weeks ago went to DE Darryl Tapp (four sacks), TE Will Heller (two TDs) and return specialist Nate Burleson (TD return).

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com