Despite fractured rib, Matt Hasselbeck says he might play Sunday

RENTON — Not that it makes the Seahawks feel any better, but quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has felt worse than he did after suffering a fractured rib on Sunday.

"What I have is a painful injury, but I have definitely woken up on a Monday feeling worse," Hasselbeck said. "I don't feel that bad, and that's very encouraging."

Or as encouraging as it can be after being taken to the hospital in the middle of a game for the first time in his football career.

Doctors checked his heart, his lungs and also made sure there was no blood in his urine, and on Monday the conclusion was Hasselbeck suffered a fractured rib, something he's hoping won't stop him from playing Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

"I'm absolutely hoping to play," Hasselbeck said. "Absolutely."

That's a better chance than tackle Sean Locklear and cornerback Josh Wilson, who were diagnosed with high ankle sprains, an injury that generally takes at least a month of recovery time.

Linebacker Lofa Tatupu's status is a question mark because of a sore hamstring, and while center Chris Spencer and wide receiver Deion Branch are expected to practice without limitation Wednesday, there will still be a question if left tackle Walter Jones is ready to return this week.

But the biggest uncertainty is whether Hasselbeck will be ready to play or if the Seahawks will use backup Seneca Wallace. Coach Jim Mora declined to offer an estimate or even a guess at the likelihood that Hasselbeck might play.

"We'll take it day by day," Mora said. "He's a tough guy, and we'll see where he is when we go through this."

Playing didn't seem like a possibility when he wasn't able to jog off the field after linebacker Patrick Willis stopped him with a hit at the 1-yard line.

"I got the wind knocked out of me," Hasselbeck said. "I couldn't breathe."

And at that point, there was a gasp among anyone concerned with the potential of this Seahawks' season. On Monday, Hasselbeck disarmed the severity of the situation with a joke.

"My face turned red, maybe even purple," Hasselbeck said.

He went to the hospital at Stanford University where he was evaluated and then flew back to Seattle with the team. Hasselbeck indicated the injury feels like it's up toward his shoulder.

Mora said he did not know the specifics of the type of fracture suffered, only that the reaction of team doctors indicated the range of possible injuries could have been worse.

"If a fractured rib can be OK, they said it looks OK," Mora said.

And perhaps most important, it wasn't Hasselbeck's back, which kept him out of nine games last season.

"Every time Matt gets hit, everyone thinks, 'Oh no, his back,' " Mora said. "But I knew right away it wasn't his back."

Hasselbeck said he did, too.

"I got the wind knocked out of me," he said. "I knew immediately that I couldn't breathe."

Hasselbeck said it's not the first time he suffered a fractured rib. He did not specify when he previously had the injury, only that it was while he was a Seahawk and he was never kept out of a game.

So what do you do for a fractured rib?

"I think it's one of those things you've just got to suck it up," Hasselbeck said.

That's just what Hasselbeck hopes to do Sunday against Chicago.

Note

• FB Justin Griffith suffered a sprained knee ligament in Sunday's game, the fourth starter who did not return because of injury.

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