Hawks Notebook | Hasselbeck is "encouraged" after practice

KIRKLAND — Wednesday was another day on the road to recovery for Matt Hasselbeck.

But the Seahawks quarterback still has much to show before he can get back into action. That's causing coach Mike Holmgren to give both Hasselbeck and fill-in starter Seneca Wallace snaps in practice this week.

"The problem is: If Seneca's going to play, then he needs to practice," Holmgren said. "So I have to balance that as best I can."

On Wednesday, Wallace worked with the No. 1 offense. Hasselbeck, who's coming back from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, got his work in with the scout team in the morning and afternoon. And it wasn't always pretty.

Hasselbeck had two passes tipped incomplete and threw an interception during the afternoon practice. He's listed as questionable for Sunday's game at San Francisco.

Hasselbeck said he felt good in practice. But the decision on his availability this week will be made by Holmgren and the team's medical staff.

"I feel like I'm on schedule, and I'm extremely encouraged," Hasselbeck said. "Ultimately, it's his [Holmgren's] call, not mine, but I'm going to try to make it a really tough decision for him."

Hasselbeck showed he can roll out and make throws. His biggest concern is getting tackled and twisted at the bottom of the pile "like a pretzel," as he put it.

"There's only one way to find out for real, and that's probably on Sunday," Hasselbeck said.

The more Hasselbeck spoke, though, the less likely it seemed he expects to play. Holmgren said he would have a decision Friday.

"I'm just going to try to ... get healthy, fight through whatever pain and scar tissue I might be feeling, and make that the coach's decision all the way," Hasselbeck said.

Holmgren might make Hasselbeck the No. 2 quarterback Sunday.

Holmgren has kept his talks with Hasselbeck about how he feels to a minimum.

"It's like asking a guy what time it is, he's telling you how the watch is made," Holmgren said. "I don't want to hear all of it."

Wallace is preparing to start a fourth consecutive game.

"It's pretty tough ... to kind of split time when you're not getting every rep," Wallace said. "But you have to grind through it."

More injuries

Center Robbie Tobeck called in sick with the flu. He has been ill for the past several days.

"Yeah, and frankly, I'm getting tired of it," Holmgren said. "He phoned me [Wednesday], weak voice, you know. Back when I was teaching in high school and I'd get one of those phoned in trying to sound like they had a cold. He's actually pretty sick. He's got the flu. He's better. But we don't want him infecting anybody else, so we told him to stay home. My hope is he can play. But this thing knocked him for a loop.

"Of course he didn't get a flu shot, because he's smarter than everybody else," Holmgren joked.

Wide receiver Bobby Engram is practicing but still is dealing with his thyroid condition. Right tackle Sean Locklear did not practice, and he and Tobeck join Engram as questionable for Sunday.

Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (right foot) didn't practice, nor did cornerback Kelly Herndon (hamstring). Cornerback Jimmy Williams practiced on a sore right ankle. All three players are probable.

Fullback Josh Parry (left foot) is out, but Holmgren said he will be back in a couple of weeks. Linebacker D.D. Lewis is doubtful and will need more evaluation on his bad big toe.

Note

• The Seahawks signed WR Sloan Thomas to their practice squad to fill the vacancy left when LB Lance Laury was signed to the active roster.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com