Seahawks | Charlie Frye expected to start at QB

RENTON — The Seahawks are set to start No. 3 quarterback Charlie Frye against the Green Bay Packers Sunday after starter Matt Hasselbeck missed Friday's practice and was unable to take part all week.

Hasselbeck injured his right knee in last week's loss to the New York Giants. He continued to play until being lifted late in the third quarter, but was held out of practice this week with the idea that his knee would be strong enough by Sunday. But coach Mike Holmgren said after practice that Hasselbeck's knee has not responded and that it appears Frye will play in the game.

"It will be a game-day decision there," Holmgren said. "He can't do much with his leg. It's not ligaments, it's not anything like that. It's just sore, and he doesn't have the green light yet to play."

Backup quarterback Seneca Wallace, who Wednesday aggravated the calf he hurt just before the San Francisco game, is expected to be able to play but would serve as Frye's backup, Holmgren said.

Frye has yet to play in a game for the Seahawks — except for the exhibition season when he played extensively — since coming over in a trade from the Cleveland Browns in the second week of last season. Frye started all 13 games he played for the Browns in 2006, but was expendable after Derek Anderson emerged and Cleveland drafted Brady Quinn last year.

Frye spent this week taking snaps with the Seahawks' first-team offense and barking out cadence, which he rarely does as third quarterback.

"I'll definitely be ready to play," Frye said. "Practice went pretty well this week. I was throwing the ball pretty well and I managed to lose my voice out there. Probably the most I've talked in a long time."

Wallace, who is officially questionable for Sunday, said he was cautious in practice Friday, his first practice since getting hurt again.

The game plan won't change, Holmgren said, but Frye won't be asked to have a grasp on every play called as would Hasselbeck.

"We're going to do what we think gives us the best chance to move the football," Holmgren said.

Frye might be throwing to Koren Robinson on Sunday. Holmgren said Robinson and Bobby Engram will probably start at wide receiver, with Keary Colbert, Billy McMullen and Michael Bumpus seeing action. Deion Branch is questionable with a foot injury and didn't practice all week.

Facing a friend

Punter Jon Ryan has experienced the ups and downs of his profession.

The Packers gave him his first NFL job in 2006, signing him from the Canadian Football League. Ryan spent two seasons as the Packers' punter.

Those were the ups. The downs came when the Packers released Ryan just before the regular season of this year. Only Ryan was one of the lucky ones — he was unemployed for just eight days.

The Seahawks signed Ryan to be their punter after the first week of the season. A month later, Ryan faces his former team when Seattle hosts Green Bay on Sunday.

"It's just another game. It's the same as any other Sunday," Ryan said. "I prepare the same way."

But Ryan's best friend is Packers kicker Mason Crosby. Ryan was in Crosby's wedding last summer.

"When you're on a team for 2 ½ years, you develop friendships like that," Ryan said. "I still have a lot of good friends left there."

Ryan didn't seem angry at the Packers for releasing him, but he was a little surprised.

"In this league, you kind of expect the unexpected," he said. "You know you're never really safe. You have no job security, especially as a punter."

Rodgers' return

When Green Bay last played at Qwest Field, in 2006, Brett Favre was the Packers' starting quarterback. Aaron Rodgers had a broken foot, so he didn't make the trip and never got to see firsthand how loud the stadium can be for an opponent.

The Packers planned to pipe in artificial crowd noise to simulate conditions on the road this week in practice.

"We're going to have to communicate very well and try and take the crowd out of the game early," Rodgers said.

Note

• WR Nate Burleson, who is on injured reserved, had his left knee surgery and is able to ride a stationary bike. He expects to start jogging in three months.

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