Notebook | Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck expects to start Sunday

RENTON — The Seahawks have waited five games for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to return, and he is expected to start Sunday against Arizona.

A doctor warned Hasselbeck he might have to wait even longer than that for a nerve condition that was causing a weakness in his leg to subside. Doctor Robert Watkins looked at Hasselbeck's test results more than a week after he suffered the injury in a loss to the New York Giants on Oct. 5.

"You won't need surgery, but you probably won't play," Hasselbeck said, summarizing the doctor's assessment. "You need a couple of months or whatever."

It wasn't advice, a recommendation or a diagnosis, but rather an estimate on how long it would take to recover.

"It was his opinion based on what he sees and how long things [would take]," Hasselbeck said. "And it was a nerve thing. Nerves don't heal like muscles."

Hasselbeck's condition healed faster than expected. He was able to pass a test in which he walks on his heels, something he could not do in the weeks after suffering the injury against the Giants.

Hasselbeck returned to practice on Friday, making about a dozen throws as quarterback for the scout team. He practiced without limitation on Wednesday with the first-unit offense. Charlie Frye served as the second-string quarterback because Seneca Wallace was unable to practice because of a groin injury suffered Sunday in Miami.

Hasselbeck was scheduled to meet with Stan Herring, one of the team's physicians, on Wednesday after practice.

"From everything I can tell right now, everything is really good and I hope to play Sunday," Hasselbeck said.

Coach Mike Holmgren was asked if there's something Hasselbeck must do in practice this week to prove to the coach he's ready to play.

"I have to see that he's breathing and practicing," Holmgren said. "That's all I have to see."

Hasselbeck's injury was initially described as a hyperextension of the knee. His back is what actually turned out to be the problem. He was diagnosed with a bulging disk in his back in August after suffering from back spasms, and the problem worsened after facing the Giants.

Hasselbeck said a premature return would have risked re-aggravating the back injury, but he conceded that there's always some chance the injury would flare up again.

"I'm not taking a conservative approach here," Hasselbeck said. "I'm definitely pushing the envelope on time frames, and it is football. It's a violent game."

Taylor-made return

Courtney Taylor didn't grab hold of his opportunity when he began the season as the Seahawks' starting flanker. He caught just five passes in the three games before he was released and signed to the practice squad.

Taylor got another chance Wednesday when he became the fifth receiver on Seattle's 53-man roster, taking the place of Keary Colbert, who was released Tuesday.

"We're giving him a second shot at it," Holmgren said. "My hope is that he'll be more relaxed, more like himself."

NOTES

• DE Patrick Kerney is out for this week's game, missing a second consecutive game after undergoing surgery on his shoulder.

• RB Julius Jones did not practice Wednesday because of an illness that was expected to keep him out for only a day.

• FB Leonard Weaver did not practice and is questionable to play Sunday. Holmgren indicated rookie Owen Schmitt will have to be ready to play extensively given the uncertainty in Weaver's status.

• S C.J. Wallace (hamstring), LB David Hawthorne (calf), DT Red Bryant (ankle) and QB Seneca Wallace (groin) did not practice and may not be ready for Sunday's game. WR Koren Robinson (knee) did not practice, but it is standard for him to sit out Wednesday's practice. He is expected to be ready for Sunday's game.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com