Seahawks rookie offensive tackle Russell Okung not expected to play Sunday

The Seahawks are still waiting on Russell Okung. The No. 6 overall pick in last spring's NFL draft has been plagued with injuries.

Seattle's rookie offensive tackle has played just one full game, essentially six quarters overall, and will likely miss his sixth game Sunday when the Seahawks travel to Arizona.

Okung began the season with a high right-ankle sprain and missed three games. He returned Week 4 for the defeat at St. Louis before suffering a left-ankle injury Oct. 24 and missing the past two games.

At the time of the second injury, the Seahawks were hopeful Okung would return Sunday. But he has been limited in workouts this week and hasn't progressed to the point where Seattle (4-4) believes he'll help against Arizona (3-5).

"He's not quite right," coach Pete Carroll said after Friday's practice. "He didn't get enough work for us to be all excited about him. He's close, though. He's real close."

Without Okung, the Seahawks have turned to backup offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus, who was acquired in an August trade with Detroit after he had been released by Denver after training camp.

The 6-foot-8, 300-pound three-year veteran arrived with little expectations and initially made a name for himself when Carroll mistakenly called him Troy during a news conference.

In the past several weeks, Polumbus has made five starts and proven to be invaluable.

"He really has been," Carroll said. "Ever since I called him Troy, he's been pretty good. He's really been a significant part of stuff.

"His flexibility on being able to play both sides. His smarts in handling stuff in rapid form early on. He's done a nice job for us."

With Polumbus at left tackle, the Seahawks are able to move Chester Pitts to left guard, a more natural position for the nine-year veteran.

The Seahawks are still filling holes along both lines.

They'll receive a big boost on the defensive front with the return of defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, who missed the past four games with a calf injury.

"It's a big deal for us," Carroll said. "Brandon has been a big factor. He's strong, aggressive and quick. He makes things happen. Experienced. All that stuff. He brings a presence up front that we need. You can see it. It was hard without him."

Notes

• LB Lofa Tatupu (knee) returned to practice after not participating the past two days. WR Mike Williams (finger) and RB Marshawn Lynch (thigh) also returned to drills after being limited Thursday.

• WR Golden Tate (ankle) and DT Colin Cole (ankle) are out.

• The Seahawks extended the contract of vice president of football administration John Idzik, the team's salary-cap guru who has been with Seattle the past four years.

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com