Hawks Notebook | Knee injury keeps RB Alexander out

KIRKLAND — Shaun Alexander needs a normal week of practice before he can play again, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Friday. And because he missed all three days this week, Alexander will miss his second consecutive game because of a sprained knee.

"I'm not going to put him on the field until he can do what he does," Holmgren said. "And so he appreciated that. We had a good talk."

When Alexander is healthy, he'll be the starting running back again, Holmgren said earlier in the week. That quelled any thoughts of a controversy at the position. For the time being, Maurice Morris will be the starter.

"Mo certainly deserves the chance to play. What I have to figure out is probably a way to use both of them," Holmgren said, "and I'm always a little reluctant to do that with any position, really. I don't like to platoon guys or give guys series or different things like that if I can help it."

Holmgren knows Alexander wants to play but doesn't feel like it would be fair to Alexander if Holmgren put him back on the field and he wasn't in condition to play. The risk of further injury is a factor.

"Shaun's close," Holmgren said. "Most of the athletes I've ever coached, they want to play and they'll lie to you a little bit about how they feel. With wide receivers and running backs, you've got to see them do stuff and then you can put them out there."

Injury update

Left tackle Walter Jones also didn't practice all week because of a sore shoulder. But Holmgren said Jones will play Sunday against Chicago.

The availability of linebacker Leroy Hill (hamstring) and wide receiver Deion Branch (foot) will be determined today, and it will depend on how sore they are.

Defensive end Darryl Tapp has a sore neck from a hit in practice Thursday and didn't practice Friday but is expected to play. Defensive end Baraka Atkins (ankle) was limited in practice this week until Friday and will be a game-day decision. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (groin), who returned to practice after missing the previous two days, is expected to play.

No happy returns

The Chicago Bears possess arguably the NFL's most dangerous return man in Devin Hester, and even they wouldn't kick to him if they were going against him.

"Being the head coach of the Chicago Bears, I can't understand why everyone wouldn't kick to him," Lovie Smith joked.

Hester had six return touchdowns on his way to the Pro Bowl in 2006 as a rookie.

"He's the most explosive player in the NFL when he has the ball in his hands," linebacker Brian Urlacher said. "You kick it to him enough times, he's going to make you pay. That's all there is to it. He's unreal. He changes the whole game for us, especially in the kicking game."

Don't expect the Seahawks to display the same bravado as the Oakland Raiders last week. Oakland kicked to Hester without hesitation, but the ploy worked — Hester gained just 14 yards on six punt returns.

NOTES

• Game balls from Monday's win went to QB Matt Hasselbeck on offense, LB Kevin Bentley on defense and TE Ben Joppru on special teams.

• Running-backs coach Stump Mitchell was not with the team Friday, having left to be with his ailing brother.

• Sunday's game starts at 1:15, not the originally scheduled 5:15 kickoff. New tickets do not need to be issued and fans should use the same tickets.

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