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September 20, 2010 at 3:23 PM

Leroy Hill expected to miss time, Russell Okung could practice next week

Linebacker Leroy Hill was in a plastic boot after suffering a strained calf early in Sunday's game. Coach Pete Carroll indicated that Hill will miss some time because of that injury, which means David Hawthorne will remain the starter.

Ben Hamilton started at left guard, moving ahead of Mike Gibson on the depth chart.

Left tackle Russell Okung will begin "on-land" running this week, Carroll said. He began working on a treadmill last week. Carroll indicated that if all goes well this week, Okung could begin practicing next week.

Okung, the team's first-round draft pick, has been out since suffering a high ankle sprain in the team's second exhibition game on Aug. 21.

As far as questions at quarterback, Carroll was asked if having a backup like Charlie Whitehurst -- someone the Seahawks view as a potential starter down the road -- impacts how he deals with the current situation at quarterback. Specifically, does it impact the amount of rope Hasselbeck is given.

"I don't feel like that at all," Carroll said. "Matt's our guy, and we're counting on him. We know that Matt gives us the best chance to win and he's doing everything he can to prepare and he's busting his tail and all that. He's doing a good job. We feel fortunate to have Charlie waiting in the wings, but it's not his time yet."

But is there a point where Carroll and the Seahawks will want to see what Whitehurst can do in regular-season action?

"We're going after this just like we've been going after it," Carroll said. "No. We're not looking at it in that regard. When Charlie gets his chance to play, then we'll see how far he takes it, but that's not even in our minds at all right now. We're going with Matt and he's really the guy that's going to take us. We're going to ride him and make sure that we support him and do all the things that he needs to help him, around him, so he can be successful."

Then Carroll made a change of direction when it came to appraising Hasselbeck.

"Now that he's a runner, too, we've decided that we're going to install some other aspects of the offense to accentuate that," Carroll said.

Sure, just like Michael Vick's impact in Philadelphia?

"We have watched Philadelphia tape here today," Carroll said.

So how about it Hasselbeck?

"I don't think you should continue to look for that," he said. "That's not something I know how to duplicate."

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Leroy Hill expected to miss time, Russell Okung could practice next week

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