Holmgren returns, takes it easy; Bannister injures shoulder

KIRKLAND — Mike Holmgren just couldn't stay away.

The Seahawks coach returned to the practice field two days after complaining of chest discomfort and being taken to a hospital for tests on his heart.

Holmgren didn't get as involved in practice as he normally does, and rarely raised his voice. He isn't finished being observed by team medical staff.

"My wife's a little mad at me right now, but if I stayed away two days I figured my parking space would be gone and someone would grab my office," Holmgren said in jest.

He left team headquarters Monday after practice and missed Tuesday's session to rest.

"I'm feeling better," he said. "They did all the tests and I think I'm in pretty good shape. I go and see the doctors again [tomorrow]."

Doctors performed a test in which they inject dye into the arteries to look for blockage, Holmgren said. Despite finding nothing wrong with his heart Monday, Holmgren has both a personal and hereditary history of such problems.

"I have had that done before in Green Bay a couple of times," he added. "They're [doctors] extra cautious and conservative because my father passed away early from a heart attack. But everything looked good that way. Every once in a while I feel a little funky."

That feeling was cause for concern.

"In the last 10 days I probably had what I would call three little episodes," the coach said. "Like I said, our doctors are very careful about all of us players and coaches, and Brad [Shoup, team physician] wanted me to go in. When I went to his office, I didn't think I'd be checking into the hospital."

Holmgren joked that the players were so glad to see him again that they had a spirited practice.

"I didn't expect to see him," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. "I'm sure he is a little bit stubborn and wanted to come back. It's good to see that he is healthy and doing well."

Bannister sidelined

Wide receiver Alex Bannister left practice favoring his right shoulder, and the injury could be serious.

Bannister, a special teams Pro Bowler in 2003, broke his collarbone on that shoulder midway through last season and was placed on injured reserve. Yesterday, trainers took X-rays and Holmgren said the bone reacted the same way it did the first time it was broken. If the injury is a break, Bannister could be out until near the end of training camp.

"I saw it kind of happen, and I figured 'Aw, gee,' " Holmgren said when asked about what happened to Bannister yesterday. "He's a tough guy and when he's bothered by something like that you kind of think that something happened."

High spirits

Holmgren may have had a point, though he was only kidding when he said he thought the players were happy he was back. Several players shined on the practice field.

Among the highlights: A drill in which linebackers were asked to cover backs and tight ends one-on-one. Linebacker Kevin Bentley tipped away a pass for tight end Jerramy Stevens and screamed in exultation, and linebacker Tracy White drew a roar when he ran down running back Maurice Morris and kept him from a catch.

Leo Araguz and Chris Kluwe punted well. Wide receiver Jason Willis caught a pass that was tipped twice by cornerbacks Kelly Herndon and Andre Dyson. Cornerback Jordan Babineaux and linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski made athletic plays on defense. And wide receiver D.J. Hackett made a brilliant over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone despite tight coverage from Dyson and safety Michael Boulware.

But backup quarterback Seneca Wallace drew specific mention from Holmgren for his comfort level and play.

"He is looking really good to me," Holmgren said. "I am a fan of Seneca's ... I thought he threw the ball very well."

Notes

• RG Chris Gray was not at practice because he was tending to a family matter. Donnie Jones left practice when his left (kicking) leg swelled up.

• Holmgren said the team will keep searching the waiver wire for a veteran backup quarterback, but that it wouldn't make sense to bring in someone who won't perform as well as Wallace, the current No. 2.

• The Seahawks hired two new college scouts: Mike Yowarsky, the Eastern region director of college scouting, and Mike Phair, an area scout.

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