Hawks Notebook | Alexander sits, but is probable for Sunday

KIRKLAND — The conditions at the Seahawks' practice Wednesday were less than ideal — a cold, rainy day that hardly felt like the last of summer.

But running back Shaun Alexander stayed dry, because he did not practice. The reigning NFL most valuable player has a sore left foot that has bothered him since the opener at Detroit, and could miss practice Thursday to allow the pain in the foot to subside.

Alexander is listed as probable for the Seahawks' game Sunday against the New York Giants. Coach Mike Holmgren said Alexander practiced and played in pain last week.

Alexander has gained 140 yards in two games, averaging 3.1 yards per carry.

"Until the soreness goes out, we're going to give him a couple of days," Holmgren said.

Also, tight end Itula Mili is questionable with a left knee injury and did not practice. Mili might not take part for the rest of the week, though there is an outside chance he will play Sunday, Holmgren said.

Mili's status is a better projection than what the Seahawks figured after he was injured at the end of the Arizona game. For now, Will Heller is the starting tight end and is taking snaps with the first-team offense.

"The name of the game in this league is being prepared ... if you're called on, so I'm looking forward to it," Heller said. "This league's about capitalizing on opportunities."

Heller's role might change for the present, but it seems clear the Seahawks just hope Heller can fill in admirably.

"I think we know Will and what Will can do and what his strengths are," Holmgren said. "Who knows? He might be thrust into a position now where he has to get it done, or a little more responsibility will be laid on his shoulders."

The tight end has always played an important part in Holmgren's offense.

"Will knows our stuff. He is a hard-working guy. A good guy," Holmgren said. "We don't throw the ball to him much, but he's a capable pass receiver. So I don't think we'd change dramatically from the type of stuff we do if he were the tight end."

Burleson will start

Holmgren said Nate Burleson will start at split end this week, though the Seahawks will activate Deion Branch.

Branch will play. How much remains to be seen, but Branch has been studying his playbook thoroughly. Holmgren must figure out how to use his bevy of weapons at receiver.

"They all want touches. It's important to them," Holmgren said. "I'm certainly not going to tell them, 'OK, you're going to play this amount, you're going to play this amount.'

"We're going to substitute guys, we're going to use different groupings. And if you're in there, you're in there. And that's pretty much the way we're going to do it."

Note

• One of the tight ends whom the Seahawks brought in for a tryout Tuesday was Kirkland native Calen Powell, who was on the Seahawks' practice squad for three weeks in September 2005. Powell was released by Washington on Aug. 27.

Times reporter Danny O'Neil contributed to this report.