The Seahawks travel to Pittsburgh this Sunday for what figures to be a difficult test against a very good team. Unfortunately, they will most likely have to play without the services of a few key players. The two players certain to miss the game are CB Byron Maxwell, a key special teams' gunner, and FB Michael Robinson, another key special teams player and captain. Both suffered sprained ankles in Sunday's loss to the 49ers, and this is not good news for a team that struggled mightily on special teams. 

Pete Carroll lamented the loss of Maxwell but pointed out that other players need to step up on special teams this week against Pittsburgh. "Byron did a fantastic job in the preseason. He was the star player. And so you need a few guys to be the standout guys, and we've got to get a couple guys to elevate. Richard Sherman's done has done a very nice job. (Matt) McCoy's been on it and done a good job. Dexter's (Davis) always been a guy we've counted on."

The Seahawks also signed FB/H-Back Eddie Williams on Tuesday to fill in for Robinson and to play on special teams. See that story here. 

Left guard Robert Gallery is still day-to-day with a knee injury, and may practice on Wednesday. His status for the game is still up in the air, as is that of receiver Sidney Rice. Rice has been battling a shoulder injury and the Seahawks have been bringing him back to full speed slowly.

If Gallery can go on Sunday, he'll take back his left guard spot and James Carpenter will presumably move back to right tackle. If he can't, expect Carpenter to stay at left guard. If Sidney Rice can't go, Ben Obomanu will be ready to fill in. 

Middle linebacker David Hawthorne was inactive last week but, per Pete Carroll, should be able to play this week.

For more on the Seahawks, go check out Field Gulls.