It's wait and see for Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu

RENTON — The Seahawks might still be hurting from Sunday's 24-point loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but Seattle's roster is getting healthier.

Linebacker Leroy Hill and cornerback Marcus Trufant are expected to practice Tuesday, and not only that, but perhaps Lofa Tatupu isn't hurt as badly as first thought.

"We'll keep our fingers crossed there," coach Jim Mora said of Tatupu.

After Sunday's loss, Mora said Tatupu had suffered a torn pectoral muscle and would be out for the year. Twenty-four hours later, the prognosis was no longer so certain after magnetic-resonance images (MRIs) showed the injury might not be as severe as initially thought.

"It doesn't look like the muscle and tendons are completely detached from the bone," Mora said.

Tatupu's prognosis is uncertain, and even in a best-case scenario Tatupu suffered a partial tear and likely will miss some time, meaning second-year player David Hawthorne must get ready to start.

The next step in Tatupu's diagnosis was to have images taken of his right pectoral muscle for a comparison to see just how severe the tear is on the left pectoral.

"We'll know in the next couple of days," Mora said.

Tatupu, one of Seattle's defensive captains and a three-time Pro Bowler, suffered an injury in the second quarter of Sunday's game. After a tackle of Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, it appeared that Tatupu was hit by safety Deon Grant.

Seattle has a bye this week, but will practice Tuesday and Wednesday before the Seahawks get four days off.

Trufant is expected to practice Tuesday for the first time this season. He began the year on the physically-unable-to-perform list because of a back injury. When he was not activated Sept. 5, he was required to miss at least six games.

He was on the field before Sunday's game, doing individual work with one of the team's strength coaches. He is expected to be ready to play at Dallas on Nov. 1.

Hill has not played since suffering a groin injury in the season opener. He underwent surgery, but is ready to return.

Line under fire

Left guard Rob Sims is expected to practice at least a little bit this week, but the news is not nearly so certain at the edge of the line for tackles Sean Locklear and Walter Jones.

"Still in doubt, still in limbo for this next game," Mora said.

Locklear is out of a plastic protective boot he's worn since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2, but there's no timetable for his return to practice.

Jones will not return to practice this week, the fourth week he's taken off in hopes pain will subside in his surgically repaired left knee.

"We're going to try to start Walter back up a little bit next week," Mora said.

No promises, though, and no guarantees. The Seahawks are getting healthier, and their star linebacker might not be as serious as first thought, but Seattle is a long way from being considered healthy overall.

Notes

• DE Patrick Kerney reinjured a groin muscle Sunday, but is expected to be available for the game at Dallas.

• CB Kelly Jennings suffered injuries to his rib and hip Sunday, but is also expected to be OK for the next game.

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