Monday in Hawkville

[News Bot]

A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Oct. 24:
FOCUS ON
Injuries. They were the major topic during coach Pete Carroll’s day-after news conference, and for good reason.
The Seahawks’ injury list is topped by cornerback Walter Thurmond, who was placed on injured reserve today because the ankle injury he got in Sunday’s loss to the Browns in Cleveland will require surgery. But it also includes:
Marshawn Lynch – The team’s leading rusher did not play against the Browns after experiencing back spasms in pregame warm-ups, and Carroll said it’s a situation Lynch has had for some time.
“He’s a little better than he was,” Carroll said. “We were surprised by that; that it popped up and became such an issue. So we’re going to have to be careful on how we project this right now, because he was OK going into game day. He had some symptoms, but this kind of jumped at us.
“So we’ll have to be careful with him through the week and make sure that we do the right things. He is determined to play for sure in his mind, but we’re really not going to know until we get to the end of the week.”
Lynch’s situation is “not a new issue,” Carroll said, and the club’s trainers and medical staff have been able to manage it.
Tarvaris Jackson – The team’s starting QB sat out the loss to the Browns because of the strained pectoral he got in the pre-bye week game against the Giants. As with Lynch, whether Jackson plays in Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals at CenturyLink Field will be determined by how he makes it through the week.
“We’re just going to start over this week and see where it is,” Carroll said. “We’ll see where he is and see how he can come back. I think it’s going to be all week long and we’ll just take it one day at a time and see where it goes.”
Zach Miller – The team’s starting tight end has what Carroll called a serious concussion. Miller got it against the Giants and did not play against the Browns.
“We’re going to have to wait and see on Zach, too,” Carroll said. “Zach would not be cleared (to practice) today. So Wednesday will be real important. He’ll have all his tests and things to clear.”
Max Unger – The team’s starting center also sat out the Browns game with a foot injury he got against the Giants.
“Max is a lot closer (to returning),” Carroll said. “He’s much better than he was and he’s getting along better. But we won’t know if can do all the pushing and stuff that he has to do to play full speed until probably late in the week.”
Unger. Jackson. Lynch. “We missed some guys right down the middle of the offense,” as Carroll put it. “That’s how it was, and we just tried to play around it.”
Lemuel Jeanpierre made his first NFL start in place of Unger. Charlie Whitehurst made his third NFL start for Jackson. Lynch was replaced by a combination of Leon Washington and Justin Forsett.
PLAYER WATCH
Ron Parker. The rookie cornerback was claimed off waivers to fill Thurmond’s roster spot, although rookie Richard Sherman will take Thurmond’s spot in the starting lineup – as he did after Thurmond fractured an ankle in Sunday’s game.
Parker was with the Seahawks in training camp. After being released he played three games with the Oakland Raiders. The coaches like his size (6-foot, 206) and speed.
“I really liked what he had done for us in camp,” Carroll said. “He’s got a lot of potential. He’s got great speed and is a big, strong kid. So it’s a good deal for us that he was available for us.”
IN ’N OUT
Running back Vai Taua has been re-signed to the practice squad. He was released Friday when linebacker/running back Allen Bradford was signed to the practice squad. Taua fills the spot that opened when safety Chris Maragos was signed off the practice on Saturday.
STAT DU JOUR
The defense’s ability to get off the field on third downs has played a big part in the Seahawks being 2-4. Opponents are converting 36.6 percent of those situations, but there have been some uneven efforts to reach that middle ground. Here’s a look at the opposition’s third-down efforts:
Opponent Third downs Pct.
49ers 1 of 12 .083
Steelers 8 of 15 .533
Cardinals 3 of 14 .214
Falcons 9 of 16 .563
Giants 1 of 12 .083
Browns 12 of 24 .500
UP NEXT
The players are off Tuesday, but will return on Wednesday to begin preparing for Sunday’s game against a 4-2 Bengals team that is coming off its bye week.
Tickets for Sunday’s game against the Bengals can be purchased here.
YOU DON’T SAY
“It’s a process. Put anybody that’s playing right now in their third start and they’re up and down, they’re trying to figure it out. And they learn and grow tremendously from these experiences. And Charlie will. He was surprised that it was this difficult. … It’s just what happens.” – Carroll when asked if Whitehurst’s performance against the Browns was step back in his progression

Source: Seahawks.com