Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle QB, raised his right arm and completed his throwing motion.
The Seahawks only wish he'd done it on the practice field.

Hasselbeck will miss his fourth straight game because his hyper extended knee is still weak, yet Coach Mike Holmgren said he sees "light at the end of the tunnel."

Holmgren told the press Wednesday that backup Seneca Wallace will make his third straight start on Sunday when Seattle is home against Philadelphia.

"We don't know how long he's going to have to play," Holmgren said. "He's our quarterback right now."

This week a back surgeon said a bulging disk in Hasselbeck's back is still affecting a nerve and weakening his knee. He will have to make at least a third trip to the doctor for more tests before he can return.

Hasselbeck was glad to find out Monday that he doesn't need surgery. He's 33 and people really want to know if he will play again this season.

"As far as I can tell he's making progress. His leg is a little stronger. So to me there was some light at the end of the tunnel there," Holmgren said. "Hopefully, with all the stuff he's doing, we can get him back on the field at some point. But, again, that will be on a week-to-week basis."
The team did not permit Hasselbeck to talk to the press because he did not practice.

On his weekly radio show Tuesday, he said he failed strength tests in Los Angeles because he was unable to walk on his heels. He only mentioned a "dead leg" feeling.

"Because of the disk issue in my back, that nerve is shutting off the muscles that are supposed to work in your leg," he told KIRO.

He plans to keep working on strength and conditioning and is confident he'll get better.

"Most of it is just frustration, mental and trying to stay positive, and just realizing, hey, it's going to be all right," he said. "There are far worse things."

For now, Wallace will play against a good Eagles defense.

Seattle is a touchdown underdog at home. The last time that happened was back in 2001.
Wallace drastically improved last week while leading the Seahawks to their first win in five weeks at San Francisco. He completed about half of his passes for just 73 yards in his first start since 2006 against Tampa Bay.

"I felt like I made some jumps from before," the six-year veteran said. "Just my confidence level as far as maybe my leg goes. You get another week under your belt of practicing and timing with the receivers and knowing what Mike is looking for on certain things."

Deion Branch is not going to play. Holmgren said the team is not letting him play this week because of a bruised heel that got worse following tests last week. Branch has played in one game since January following reconstructive knee surgery.

Patrick Kerney, Pro Bowl defensive end, is questionable after re-injuring his left shoulder after having offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum. Holmgren said Kerney likely won't practice this week but is still hoping that his pass rusher can chase Donovan McNabb on Sunday.

"There is a little bit of a concern," Holmgren said. "In talking with Patrick today, he's somewhat concerned."