Hasselbeck may miss exhibitions

Seahawks |

RENTON — There's a chance Matt Hasselbeck won't see any game action until the regular season starts.

No one at Seahawks headquarters Wednesday confirmed that was the case, but it doesn't seem like the team wants to take any chances with the health of its star quarterback.

Hasselbeck has taken part in just one full practice since hurting his back on a throw during the first quarter of the exhibition game against Minnesota Aug. 8. He did some drills last Thursday and went through all of Monday's session at the team's new headquarters, but he walked off the field about halfway through Tuesday's session with tightness in his back.

The prospect of Hasselbeck playing in Monday's exhibition at San Diego is dim, though coach Mike Holmgren said it was too early to make that decision. Third- and fourth-string quarterbacks Charlie Frye and Dalton Bell got most of the snaps in practice the past two days; backup Seneca Wallace is still working his way back from a groin problem.

"We're going to take it a day at a time and just see how he feels," Holmgren said.

Holmgren downplayed Hasselbeck's absence as simply a small setback, saying that his quarterback would be fine in time for the regular season.

"When a guy has played as long as he's played or some other quarterbacks around the league have played, you're not quite as concerned with your minutes in the preseason," Holmgren said.

Willis steps in

Ray Willis is in his fourth year as a Seahawk. He has played in 12 career games over three seasons and never started.

Patience is certainly one of his virtues. But he now is getting an opportunity to see quality playing time.

Willis is the Seahawks' current starting right tackle in the absence of Sean Locklear, who has a sprained knee ligament and will miss at least the last two exhibition games. In fact, Willis could conceivably open the regular season as a starter if Locklear's rehabilitation doesn't go on as planned.

"There's definitely a comfort level for me out there at right tackle," Willis said.

The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder, a fourth-round draft pick in 2005, was praised by Seahawks executives as an aggressive player with a mean streak on the day he was drafted. But Willis hasn't had much of an opportunity to show that side of his game.

Willis replaced Locklear early in Saturday's game and held his own.

"Of all the guys up front the other night, he was as consistent as anyone we had," Holmgren said. "So that was encouraging to me."

Willis credits going against defensive ends Patrick Kerney and Darryl Tapp in practice with helping him be prepared for opponents. He's also happy with the coaching.

"With [offensive-line coach Mike] Solari, he's somebody who teaches me something new every day about technique, about hand placement, things of that nature," Willis said. "He's a great teacher that way."

Willis faced a good Chicago Bears defensive line Saturday, but will get a different look when he faces the Chargers' 3-4 alignment. That means trying to hold off their speed-rushing linebackers, Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman.

"Ray's excited about every challenge you give him," said offensive-line assistant Mike DeBord. "He's real solid mentally and physically."

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