Seahawks finally get good injury news

RENTON — Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is expected back on the practice field this week and might play against Arizona on Nov. 16. Wide receiver Deion Branch might not be too far behind and defensive end Patrick Kerney's shoulder injury is not as serious as feared earlier this week.

Throw in the fact linebacker Lofa Tatupu and fullback Leonard Weaver will return to practice today after not playing last week because of injury and the Seahawks' injury report is downright encouraging.

"Pretty good, huh?" coach Mike Holmgren joked. "You can tell I'm fired up."

Hasselbeck has passed all the strength tests in his leg, Holmgren said.

"The hope is that he practices as the scout-team quarterback," Holmgren said, "and gets used to doing some stuff again this week, if possible."

Hasselbeck has missed the past four games because of a bulging disk that was pushing against a nerve, causing weakness in his leg.

Hasselbeck is not expected to play this week in Miami. Holmgren was asked if it was possible he would be ready to play when Seattle hosts Arizona.

"Right now, that's kind of my plan," Holmgren said. "He has to do some things this week, feel good about it."

Branch will test his injured heel during a workout today then wait to see if his heel is swollen and sore on Thursday. If it is not, he should be on his way to coming back.

Kerney underwent surgery on Tuesday in Alabama, the prognosis was as positive as the Seahawks could have hoped for.

"It was the best news we could get," Holmgren said. "It was not major. They had to clean out a few things in there, apparently. The expectation that we will have him back to play this season."

The worst-case scenario for Kerney was that he tore the labrum in his left shoulder again. He suffered that injury in the Seahawks' playoff victory over Washington last season, and spent the offseason rehabilitating from surgery to repair the injury. Had he re-torn the labrum, he would have been out for the rest of the season.

In the Seahawks' other injury news, right guard Floyd Womack will not practice today because of a foot injury, but Holmgren said the expectation is Womack will be able to play Sunday in Miami. Tight end Will Heller (knee) and defensive tackle Red Bryant (high ankle sprain.