Seahawks Notebook | Mike Holmgren shows support for Ty Willingham

RENTON — Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren expressed his support for Tyrone Willingham, who on Monday announced his resignation at season's end from the Washington Huskies.

Holmgren was a member of the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff in the late 1980s when Willingham spent a training camp with the team as part of the NFL's minority coaching internship program.

"I feel the same way that I do when other guys get let go," Holmgren said. "We all understand the nature of the business. I suppose while you're never really prepared for it, you always understand it could happen.

"He is really a good man," Holmgren added.

Holmgren and Willingham appeared at Salvation Army fundraisers together and would laugh and joke, Holmgren seeing a side of Willingham rarely presented to the media and public.

"I always told him, 'Smile more,' you know?" Holmgren said. "But he's got tremendous integrity. He's just a good man ... And I am sorry they couldn't get it going."

Holmgren took more of an interest in the Huskies program in part because his son-in-law works for the athletic department. He felt Willingham stayed true to himself.

"Cared about the kids and their educations," Holmgren said of Willingham. "That's all good stuff. That's the kind of coach you would like to have your son playing for. It's just wins and losses, it didn't work out the way it should."

Kerney re-injures shoulder

Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney re-injured the shoulder on which he had surgery for a torn labrum this past offseason.

Kerney said he was hurt in the fourth quarter against the 49ers. After the game, his upper arm was heavily wrapped.

Kerney first injured his left shoulder in the Seahawks' playoff win over Washington last season. Holmgren said Kerney must regain strength in his shoulder and hopes to have him for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Hasselbeck in L.A.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck saw a specialist in Los Angeles for a checkup on his injured back, to get a progress report on his rehabilitation from a bulging disk.

"He will rehab during the week, he'll check his strength and right now, it's on a week-to-week basis," Holmgren said.

Seneca Wallace remains the starter this week if Hasselbeck can't play.

Notes

• Linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who suffered a strained groin at San Francisco and left the game in the second quarter, isn't expected to practice much this week but Holmgren hopes he'll play this Sunday.

• Wide receiver Deion Branch is also week to week. He was thought to have a heel bruise, but Holmgren said there is uncertainty as to what Branch's injury is.

"He's taken a lot of tests and as a result, they worked him out pretty hard last week, and then the following day he was pretty sore," Holmgren said. "It's just a tough one, it's hard to figure. When he can work out and then the following day be OK, that's when he'll play."

Holmgren doubts Branch will be back this week and is hoping for the following Sunday at Miami.

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