Seahawks' Walter Jones, Matt Hasselbeck not expected to play Sunday against Colts

Walter Jones went 10 seasons without missing a game because of injury.

This year, he has yet to make it onto the field for a game, and he didn't practice Wednesday because of pain in his surgically repaired left knee, the second time his comeback has slowed down.

The Seahawks aren't expecting Jones to play against the Colts on Sunday, and they aren't planning for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to play, either, because of a broken rib. Hasselbeck's injury will heal with time. For Jones, time might not be on his side. It's no longer just a question of when Jones will play again, but if he'll play again.

"I hope so," coach Jim Mora said. "I don't know. I can't tell you that the thought doesn't cross your mind. I think we have to give him some time.

"I think he's earned that."

Jones, 35, is experiencing pain in his left knee, which has been operated on twice in the past 10 months. He can't take anti-inflammatory medication because of a kidney condition diagnosed when he was a rookie with Seattle.

Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu returned to practice and is expected to play, and cornerback Josh Wilson is recovering quicker from an ankle injury than anyone expected.

Seattle is getting healthier. The Seahawks are just not healthy.

Start with Jones, a nine-time Pro Bowler at left tackle who didn't miss a game because of injury from 1998 through 2007. He suffered a knee injury in Dallas last year, was placed on injured reserve and underwent microfracture surgery in early December. He returned in time for the first day of training camp this season, began suffering back spasms two days later and missed about two weeks. He underwent a subsequent arthroscopic procedure to remove scar tissue in August.

Jones has practiced for the past two weeks, but hasn't been ready to play. In fact, late in practices, there has been pain in his knee.

"When he gets to that part of the practice, he starts to experience some pain that's difficult for him to overcome right now," Mora said.

Jones has chosen not to answer questions until after he plays in a game.

Mora stated that this was not a medical setback. Jones didn't reinjure the knee, but it is a step back in his recovery.

"It's really just more of the process of rehabilitation," Mora said.

Same for Hasselbeck.

"The holdup quite simply with Matt is he can't run yet," Mora said. "When he takes deep breaths there is pain."

But other than that, everything is fine.

"As soon as he moves through that then we'll start working him back in there," Mora said.

Trufant progressing

Cornerback Marcus Trufant isn't eligible to play until after Seattle's sixth game, and indications are that he will be ready then. He is recovering from a disk injury in his back.

"He's making the gains that we've been looking for for a long time," Mora said.

Trufant is currently on the physically unable to perform list because of an injury that worsened just as training camp was to begin. He has not practiced this season. The team has three weeks to activate Trufant once be becomes eligible.

Mora previously declined to say whether he expected Trufant to be ready by Nov. 1, but that is looking more like a target date.

"The signs point in the direction that yes, he will be back, but we'll see," Mora said.

Notes

• LB Leroy Hill (groin) and OT Sean Locklear (ankle) have been declared out. CB Ken Lucas (groin) and CB Josh Wilson (ankle) were limited in practice. G Rob Sims (oblique) did not practice. Today will be the critical day in evaluating if he can play.

• OT Brandon Frye (groin) did not practice, but is expected to be on the field Friday at the latest.

• S Jordan Babineaux (neck) was sore and did not participate beyond some individual drills, but should be OK for Sunday's game.

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