DENVER — The grade for Terrell Owens' Seahawks debut: incomplete.

That was the result of each of the five passes thrown his way during Saturday's 30-10 exhibition victory over Denver, including one he dropped in the end zone.

That was one of the few times quarterback Matt Flynn and Owens were in sync. Flynn threw deep to Owens, who had two steps on the defender. The ball hit the receiver in stride for what would have been a 46-yard touchdown, but it went through Owens' hands.

"The first big ball he had thrown to him in a long time," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said, "and unfortunately it got away from him, the deep ball."

TED: It was the 38-year-old's first game action since signing with the Seahawks this month. He didn't play in the NFL last season.

The other incompletions were more a result of miscommunication. Flynn expected Owens to break off his route on Seattle's first play, but Owens kept running. Later in the quarter, Owens came across the middle, only to have the ball sail behind him as Flynn as expected him to stay outside.

Owens was not available for interviews after the game, but his coach characterized the game as part of the comeback process.

"Most understandable," Carroll said. "It's just two weeks of practice. He's just getting going. So I don't have any problem. I've seen him day in and day out and know how he's working and how he's learning the stuff."

Johnson steps up, stands out

Jeron Johnson was impressive in his second-quarter audition with the Seahawks' first-string defense. The second-year safety from Boise State replaced Pro Bowler Kam Chancellor, whose playing time was being monitored. Johnson promptly forced a fumble to end the Broncos' first possession of the second quarter and then intercepted Peyton Manning to end Denver's next possession.

Johnson made the team last season as an undrafted free agent, and in his second season he's showing that he might have a role beyond special teams.

"Just trying to make plays," he said. "Just trying to be seen, pretty much. It's a fight to be seen on the field with the talent we have in the secondary. I'm just trying to capitalize on each opportunity."

Flag football

After being one of the most penalized teams in the NFL last year, Seattle wasn't called for a single penalty in the first half of against Tennessee.

It was a different story against Denver as Seattle was penalized seven times, including personal-foul penalties against tackle Breno Giacomini and guard Deuce Lutui that had Carroll particularly steamed.

"I love Breno's toughness and his aggressiveness," Carroll said. "He can't go across the line because he's a bad dude. He loves to be hard and physical. He went a hair too far, so that was a big mistake."

Lutui's third-quarter penalty for a late hit turned a third-and-2 into a third-and-17, and the fact the Seahawks converted that didn't erase the error in Carroll's mind.

"Deuce's penalty was ridiculous," Carroll said. "It was way late, and it was just a waste of an effort."

Notes

• The Seahawks allowed a punt return for a touchdown in their exhibition opener last week, and their first punt against Denver was blocked and a second was tipped. Denver's David Bruton deflected both.

"It was embarrassing," Carroll said.

• Marshawn Lynch carried six times for 37 yards in his first exhibition action this season. He did not play last week against Tennessee.

• QB Tarvaris Jackson, last year's starter, again did not play.

• Seahawks captains were LB K.J. Wright, DT Brandon Mebane and K Stephen Hauschka.

• The Seahawks did not have three of their top five receivers on the depth chart as Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin and Ben Obomanu were held out of the game. Rice is recovering from offseason shoulder surgeries, Baldwin is coming back from a sore hamstring and Obomanu has a pinched nerve in his neck.

Other Seahawks who did not suit up: FB Michael Robinson, CB Walter Thurmond, CB Ron Parker, DE Cordarro Law, LB Mike Morgan, LB Matt McCoy, LB Malcolm Smith, T John Moffitt, G James Carpenter, TE Zach Miller.

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