The one position at which the Seattle Seahawks could least afford an injury – other than quarterback – was at receiver, but that’s now the case as their 2007 leading receiver Bobby Engram will miss six to eight weeks with a cracked shoulder suffered in Friday’s exhibition win against the Vikings.
Engram could be back early in the regular season, the bye week, Sept. 28, at the latest, coach Mike Holmgren said. He is still expected to be on the final 53-man roster when it is set on Aug. 30; he will remain on the active roster because being placed on injured reserve would end his season.
“Injuries are a part of this thing and you deal with it,” Holmgren said. “The young ‘uns have to step up and play. We’ve said that already, and now they just have to do it for a while.”
The 35-year-old Engram set a Seattle franchise record last season with 94 catches and then skipped offseason minicamps while in a dispute over his contract that expires after this season.
Compounding the situation at receiver is that Deion Branch remains on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from reconstructive surgery on his left knee in January.
Holmgren remains hopeful that Branch will be ready for the regular-season opener, but Nate Burleson could now be the only available receiver with starting experience when the season opens. Courtney Taylor will get the first look to start at flanker in place of Engram.
Holmgren also said that QB Matt Hasselbeck’s back is still bothering him after it tightened up in Friday’s preseason opener. The coach added that the team had yet to discuss whether to hold Hasselbeck out of this Saturday’s game against Chicago.
The coach added that Julius Jones will get the start at running back against the Bears after Maurice Morris‘ impressive performance as the starter against Minnesota. Morris gained 62 yards on six carries, while Jones got four carries and gained 15 yards against the Vikings, but played primarily behind the No. 2 line.
