SEAHAWKS QB HASSELBECK UNLIKELY TO PLAY

Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears due to a cracked rib.  Earlier in the week there was hope that Hasselbeck would be able to play despite having spent last Sunday night in the hospital.  After missing three days of practice, however, Seahawks’ coach Jim Mora said that it was unlikely he’d start though he stopped short of officially ruling him out of Sunday’s game.

Hasselbeck was hit hard on a goal line play against the San Francisco 49ers last weekend.  As he was diving for the goal line he was met by the Niners' Patrick Willis, who flattened him.  He struggled to the sideline, complaining that he was light headed and couldn’t breathe.  He was X-rayed after the game, but despite the negative result was taken by ambulance to the Stanford Medical Center.  The concern was internal bleeding or a damaged lung, but tests proved negative and he was released the following day.

Seattle suffered through a 4-12 season last year, and much of that was due to the absence of Hasselbeck.  He missed 9 games with a bulging disc in his back and was very ineffective when the did play.  He posted the worst statistical season since he became an NFL starter in 2001, and the Seahawks posted their worst record in 16 years.

Asked earlier in the week about his injury, he discussed the added motivation to get back in the lineup due to the number of teammates also suffering from injuries:

“Absolutely, especially with the amount of guys that we have banged up. But as a player, that's not your call. Your job is to just go out there and give them what you got."

In his Thursday press conference, Mora wouldn’t rule Hasselbeck out completely but noted:

"It is extremely unlikely Matt will play.”

Hasselbeck is listed as ‘doubtful’ on the official NFL injury report.  Currently, the Seahawks expect backup Seneca Walker to start at quarterback on Sunday.  

The team did get some good news about nine time Pro Bowl tackle Walter Jones.  Jones’ participated fully in practice all week, though Mora wasn’t sure when he’d insert him back in the lineup:

"He hasn't played in a long time. He's coming off a pretty significant injury. We have to make the right decision ... for not only this game but future games, and for Big Walt himself."

The Seahawks will host the Chicago Bears on Sunday, with the Bears a -2 road favorite.  The total for the game has been set at 37.  The first half line is the Bears -0.5 with the total 17’.  The Seahawks will play at Baltimore the following week before returning home to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 11th.