The Seattle Seahawks return from their bye week, coming off of a big 36-25 road win over the New York Giants in Week Five, to take on the Cleveland Browns on the road this Sunday. The Seahawks hope that tight end Zach Miller and quarterback Tarvaris Jackson will be in good physical shape by then.
According to the Everett Herald's John Boyle, Jackson might be available to play on Sunday. The news comes from head coach Pete Carroll, who stated that Jackson is recovering very rapidly from a high-grade strain of his right pectoral muscle. Carroll stated that his signal-caller "has a chance" to be back by Sunday.
Jackson suffered the injury during the third quarter of the Giants game and was replaced by backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. Whitehurst responded admirably, throwing for 149 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-29 passing. He led the Seahawks down the field and gave them a 29-25 edge with 2:37 left in the game that Seattle would not relinquish. If Jackson can't go on Sunday, Whitehurst will get the nod as the starting quarterback.
Trufant is a free agent this upcoming season, and had come off a one-year, $3 million deal that apparently wasn't worth it. The Seahawks will most certainly have to ponder looking at more new talent at the position, and potentially make it their top priority going into the 2012 season, which could mean it'll be a big deal with regards to the NFL Draft.
The Seahawks will be without wide receiver Mike WIlliams today as they take on the NY Giants, which was expected and announced on Friday, but a surprise inactive this morning is cornerback Marcus Trufant.
Trufant, who battled back injuries last year that severely hampered his effectiveness, will sit sit out today's game after suffering back spasms this week. He'll be replaced by 2nd-year Oregon product Walter Thurmond.
Also inactive for the Seahawks are QB Josh Portis, CB Bryon Maxwell, LB Malcolm Smith, OG Robert Gallery and OT Jarriel King. Maxwell and Smith are key special team players but have been battling injuries - an ankle for Maxwell and a hamstring for Smith. Gallery has a lingering groin injury and King is still working on an ankle injury.
