RENTON -- Center Max Unger returned to practice Friday after sitting out the afternoon workouts on Wednesday and Thursday, and is expected to play Sunday against New England.

"Max of all of our guys, is like an old vet for us," coach Pete Carroll said. "He can handle it as well as anybody. I think he can make do."

Defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, the backup to Brandon Mebane at nosetackle, is doubtful after suffering an injured groin muscle last week in Carolina, and rookie Greg Scruggs is expected to be active in his place.

Defensive tackle Jaye Howard is out with a foot injury while John Moffitt will miss his third consecutive game with a knee injury, Paul McQuistan started at right guard.

Carroll was asked after practice about Moffitt's status and if he's out for a longer period of time.

"I don't have a timeline on when we think he's going to get back," Carroll said. "It was a little bit more serious than we thought so we're just making sure we're taking care of him. We're OK on the depth chart right now so it's working out that we can buy the time and not forcing him back too soon."

Carroll said it was unlikely Moffitt would return for next week's game at San Francisco as there are only three days between games, but he could be a consideration for Week 7 at Detroit.

"After that, we have a good chance to get him," Carroll said.

	Seahawks injury report
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
OUT	OUT	OUT
G John Moffitt (Knee)	G John Moffitt (Knee)	G John Moffitt (Knee)
		DT Jaye Howard (Foot)
Did not practice	Did not practice	DOUBTFUL
C Max Unger (Hip)	C Max Unger (Hip)
DT Clinton McDonald (Groin)	DT Clinton McDonald (Groin)	DT Clinton McDonald (Groin)
DT Jaye Howard (Foot)	DT Jaye Howard (Foot)
Limited in practice	Limited in practice	QUESTIONABLE
RB Marshawn Lynch (Back)
Full participation	Full participation	PROBABLE
	RB Marshawn Lynch (Back)	RB Marshawn Lynch (Back)
		C Max Unger (Hip)
	Patriots injury report
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Out	Out	OUT
		S Steve Gregory (Hip)
		LB Tracy White (Foot)
Did not practice	Did not practice	DOUBTFUL
WR Julian Edelman (Hand)
S Steve Gregory (Hip)	S Steve Gregory (Hip)
TE Michael Hoomanwanui (Concussion)	TE Michael Hoomanwanui (Concussion
LB Tracy White (Foot)	LB Tracy White (Foot)
Limited in practice	Limited in practice	QUESTIONABLE
RB Brandon Bolden (Knee)	RB Brandon Bolden (Knee)	RB Brandon Bolden (Knee)
QB Tom Brady (Shoulder)	WR Julian Edelman (Hand)	WR Julian Edelman (Hand)
DE Brandon Deaderick (Ankle)	DE Brandon Deaderick (Ankle)	DE Brandon Deaderick (Ankle)
DT Justin Francis (Ankle)	DT Justin Francis (Ankle)	DT Justin Francis (Ankle)
TE Rob Gronkowski (Hip)	TE Rob Gronkowski (Hip)	TE Rob Gronkowski (Hip)
TE Aaron Hernandez (Ankle)	TE Aaron Hernandez (Ankle)	TE Aaron Hernandez (Ankle)
LB Donta Hightower (Hamstring)	LB Donta Hightower (Hamstring)	LB Donta Hightower (Hamstring)
G Logan Mankins (Calf/Hip)	G Logan Mankins (Calf/Hip)	G Logan Mankins (Calf/Hip)
C Nick McDonald (Shoulder)	C Nick McDonald (Shoulder)	C Nick McDonald (Shoulder)
CB Sterling Moore (Knee)	CB Sterling Moore (Knee)	CB Sterling Moore (Knee)
RB Shane Vereen (Foot)	RB Shane Vereen (Foot)	RB Shane Vereen (Foot)
T Sebastian Vollmer (Back/Knee)	T Sebastian Vollmer (Back/Knee)	T Sebastian Vollmer (Back/Knee)
WR Wes Welker (Ankle)	WR Wes Welker (Ankle)	WR Wes Welker (Ankle)
		TE Michael Hoomanwanui (Concussion)
Full participation	Full participation	PROBABLE
DT Kyle Love (Knee)	DT Kyle Love (Knee)	DT Kyle Love (Knee)