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Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Friday that Hasselbeck is unlikely to play because his bruised right knee has not responded to treatment. No. 3 quarterback Charlie Frye is likely to start, Holmgren said.
The Seahawks’ backup quarterback, Seneca Wallace has been bothered by a strained calf and practiced on a limited basis for the first time all week on Friday.
“He’s restrained,” Holmgren said of Hasselbeck, who hyperextended the knee during Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants. “We’re just not going to put him at risk out there.
“It’s not ligaments; it’s not anything like that. It’s just sore. And he doesn’t have the green light yet to play.”
Holmgren did not rule out Hasselbeck, saying it would be a “game-day” decision. Hasselbeck is listed as questionable on the official injury report, as is Wallace.
“The (knee) just has not responded. He can’t do much because of his leg,” Holmgren said “I made the statement that if he couldn’t practice all week, he could play on Sunday, but I’ve got to feel like he isn’t too vulnerable out there. That’s the main thing.”
Hasselbeck wants to play, Holmgren said, “so he’s fighting it. Seneca is too. They want to play. They all want to. When they can’t, they’re feisty.”
Frye would be making his first NFL start since 2007, when he was with the Cleveland Browns.
“I’ve taken every rep this week, so I’ll be ready to play,” Frye said.
Rodgers, meanwhile, ended up not throwing during Friday’s practice, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be ready.
Calling it a “medical decision” by team doctor Pat McKenzie, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Rodgers’ repetitions were limited during the workout, but a pre-game proving session won’t be necessary for Rodgers to play against the Seahawks. Last week in the Don Hutson Center, Rodgers had to show his injured right (throwing) shoulder was good enough to face Atlanta.
“He’ll be ready to go Sunday,” McCarthy said. “I think we’ll be fine. We did the best we can as far as having him rep at practice. He’s a very conscientious individual, and I’m confident he’ll be prepared to play.”
Rodgers said he “would’ve liked to do a little throwing, but I did as much as I could with the run game and took the mental reps. I feel good about the game plan and my preparation.”
As for his shoulder, Rodgers, who is listed as probable on the injury report, said it “feels better than a week ago. There’s definitely some marked improvement.”
Health watch
Linebacker A.J. Hawk (groin, probable) said he felt “good” and is “definitely getting better” after struggling with the injury last week against the Falcons. Hawk said he expects to play against the Seahawks.
Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (knee tendinitis, questionable) vowed he “will be ready on Sunday.”
McCarthy said left tackle Chad Clifton (hamstring, probable), who was limited in practice Friday, “went through OK,” although Clifton’s rehabilitation session Wednesday “was a lot tougher than we had hoped.”
Dime cornerback Pat Lee (back spasms, questionable) went down during Thursday’s practice and McCarthy said he is “hopeful (Lee) will still go on Sunday.”
Safety Aaron Rouse (knee, probable) is set to start alongside Nick Collins but McCarthy wouldn’t say for sure. “I don’t want to give away all my secrets,” McCarthy said.
Rouse would start in place of safety Atari Bigby (hamstring, doubtful).
Defensive ends Jason Hunter (hamstring, doubtful) and Michael Montgomery (ankle, doubtful) won’t play Sunday.
Wide receiver James Jones (knee, questionable) and running back Kregg Lumpkin (hamstring, questionable) are unlikely to play, either.
Fullback Korey Hall (knee, probable) is expected to play for the first time since Sept. 14.
Cornerback Charles Woodson (toe, probable) will start.
Not kicking themselves
While the Packers certainly aren’t thrilled with the inconsistency of punter Derrick Frost, McCarthy and special teams coordinator Mike Stock insist the team made the right decision in dumping Jon Ryan for Frost after the final cutdown.
“Absolutely,” Stock said. McCarthy said Frost is “a work in progress” but that he had “no problem with the change.”
The Seahawks, who picked up Ryan and cut Ryan Plackemeier after the Packers made their move, aren’t overly pleased with Ryan, either.
Asked during a conference call with Wisconsin reporters earlier this week about Ryan’s performance so far, Holmgren replied, “He’s doing OK.”
That was it. Seahawks special teams coach Bruce DeHaven was more expansive — but less complimentary.
“Punters struggle. We’re a long way away from where we want to be right now,” DeHaven said. “Last time I looked, we’re still way down there toward the bottom (of the league in punting statistics), and that’s not good enough. However he’s done, it hasn’t been good enough. It’s got to be better.”
