RENTON -- Seattle was missing two offensive lineman during Wednesday's light practice as G John Moffitt and T Breno Giacomini sat out the light workout.

The Seahawks are about to get a big lineman back, though, as James Carpenter -- last year's first-round pick -- could be ready to play this week after recovering from a serious knee injury suffered last year.

"He's live and in action this week," Carroll said. "Carp is back to life. He has done a great job in the process of getting back here. This is Week 4. We're thrilled that he's got a chance. He has a chance to play this week. We'll see how it goes. He'll be playing at left guard, and we'll see how all that fits. He has to make it through the week, but he's really excited about it.

"It has been a tremendous comeback, and he's way out ahead of schedule, and he has had no setbacks to note at all. We'll see how it makes it and we'll look forward to him playing."

Carpenter was drafted as a tackle, but is moving to guard this year, which Seattle expects will be a permanent spot for him.

"We really think that the best place for him is to be inside, and be a monster in there," Carroll said. "We saw that last year, and we did both with them if you remember, and he feels most comfortable on the left side just from his background. So you look at Russell (Okung) and James together, it's a great side for us if we can put this together. It could happen this week, too."

Paul McQuistan is currently Seattle's starting left guard though Carroll left open the possibility that McQuistan could move elsewhere. Carroll stopped short of saying that Carpenter is competing head-to-head with McQuistan for that left-guard spot.

"Right now, it's more of James competing against the comeback," Carroll said. "He's just got to get back right now. Fortunately, Paul can play all four spots other than center. He can go left and right, one play to the next, so that gives us great flexibility. We would make it easier for James first, allow him to play in the same spot and not move around. We'll see what happens at the right guard spot. It depends on what is going on there. I don't know how we'll do this until the end of the week. We have the intention of seeing him play this week, though."

	Seahawks injury report
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
OUT	OUT	OUT
Did not practice	Did not practice	DOUBTFUL
T Breno Giacomini (Pectoral)
G John Moffitt (Knee)
DT Greg Scruggs (Wrist)
Limited in practice	Limited in practice	QUESTIONABLE
Full participation	Full participation	PROBABLE
WR Doug Baldwin (Shoulder)
CB Byron Maxwell (Hamstring)
	Rams injury report
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Out	Out	OUT
Did not practice	Did not practice	DOUBTFUL
DT Matt Conrath (Knee)
RB Steven Jackson (Groin)
S Matt Daniels (Hamstring)
DE Eugene Sims (Illness)
LT Rodger Saffold (Knee)
Limited in practice	Limited in practice	QUESTIONABLE
DT Michael Brockers (Ankle)
OT Wayne Hunter (Knee)
Full participation	Full participation	PROBABLE