No word on who will start at running back for the Seahawks

RENTON — Running back Julius Jones is questionable for Sunday's game in St. Louis.

The same status applies to Seattle's running game.

Actually, calling the Seahawks' ground game questionable after last week's 4-yard debacle in Minnesota is downright charitable considering it's the second time in five weeks that the new running game installed under offensive coordinator Greg Knapp has bottomed out with a franchise low in single-game rushing yards.

"It's a frustrating time for us," coach Jim Mora. "And Greg and I in particular in terms of running the football. We have not experienced this."

On Sunday, Seattle will face St. Louis. The Seahawks ran for 167 yards against the Rams in the season-opener. Twelve weeks later, that remains Seattle's high-water mark for rushing yards this season.

The Seahawks leave for St. Louis today uncertain who will start at running back in Sunday's game.

Jones is questionable because of a bruised lung suffered on Nov. 18 in Arizona. He spent the night in the hospital, sat out last week's game and earlier this week was coughing up blood after a workout.

After Jones practiced just twice this week in a limited capacity, Mora said Jones' availability won't be determined until after a workout before Sunday's game. A player listed as questionable is considered to have a 50-50 chance of playing according to the league's injury-report standards.

Jones suffered the injury while blocking Arizona linebacker Karlos Dansby, who was blitzing on the play. Jones joked that Matt Hasselbeck owes him a little something for the effort.

"I gave up a lung for him," Jones said. "What's he going to give me?"

Jones said he feels much better than last week and even better than he felt two days ago. It will be up to a decision by the trainers.

"He's healed, but that was quite a ferocious blow he took," Mora said. "He's just still sore from it."

If Jones is active for the game, he will start ahead of Justin Forsett. Mora indicated Jones' workload may be limited if he does play.

"That doesn't mean he can take 20 carries," Mora said. "But if he can go, we want to get him going."

Same goes for the running game, which last week finished with 4 yards rushing in Minnesota, the second time in five weeks Seattle set a new single-game rushing low. The Seahawks gained 14 yards in a 27-3 loss to Arizona on Oct. 18.

Part of the problem has been the fact Seattle has started four different left tackles, three left guards, two centers and two running backs this season.

"To me, the bigger reason why is the parts have changed up front and at the running back position," Knapp said. "That has made it hard to keep the consistency. But there has been moments there where you know that you are on the right track."

Safety first

Safety Deon Grant will need surgery to repair the torn ligament and chipped bone in his left hand. His hope is he won't need to have that surgery until after the season, and he will play Sunday with a cast on his left hand.

"If it holds up this game, I'll be all right until the end of the season," Grant said.

Notes

• Rams running back Steven Jackson did not practice this week because of back spasms. He is listed as questionable on the team's injury report, which means there is a 50-50 chance he will play Sunday. He has not missed a game this season.

• Seahawks DT Red Bryant (knee) is questionable after he was limited in practice the past two days. DT Cory Redding (knee) sat out Wednesday's practice, but is probable, which means there is a virtual certainty he will be available for his normal allotment of playing time.

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