KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) -Shaun Alexander was back practicing Wednesday afternoon for the first time since he sprained his ankle 3 1/2 weeks ago.
Alexander looked rested and lively while getting most of the running back plays with the offense, his first work since he sprained his left knee Nov. 4 in a loss at Cleveland.
“Everyone kept saying, ‘Man, it looked like you’re fresh’,” Alexander said.
“This is the best I’ve felt probably since the second week of the season.”
So does all fresh mean all healed?
“Uh, no,” the 2005 league MVP deadpanned. “This is football. Nothing’s healed. But it’s definitely something I can play with.”
Alexander said he will play Sunday when the Seahawks (7-4) take their two-game lead in the NFC West to Philadelphia (5-6). Coach Mike Holmgren was less definitive.
“We have our fingers crossed, as he does,” Holmgren said before practice, wary of how sore Alexander might be Thursday.
Maurice Morris, who has averaged 85 yards rushing per game in three starts for Alexander, hurt his ankle late in last weekend’s win at St. Louis and missed all but a few plays of practice Wednesday. Holmgren said Morris may not practice much before Sunday.
Asked whether Morris or Alexander, or both, will play against the Eagles, Holmgren said: “That’s a good one. Anything I say probably won’t happen. So we’ll just let it happen … and see how that goes.”
Alexander is still wearing a cast over a broken left wrist. Holmgren said he met with Alexander on Tuesday and explained that upon his return, Morris will continue to play.
Alexander said he was fine with that. It will be the first time since Alexander became Seattle’s lead runner in 2001 that he hasn’t been the sole, featured back in the offense.
The 30-year-old Alexander has 492 yards rushing in eight games. He has two touchdowns, the same as Morris has in the last three games.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck also practiced Wednesday despite a sore quadriceps. He didn’t practice until Friday last week because of sore ribs, then rallied the Seahawks to 17 points in the second half Sunday to beat the Rams.
Lofa Tatupu watched practice with an electrical stimulation machine taped to his sore ribs. Holmgren said his Pro Bowl middle linebacker may not practice all week, but will likely play against the Eagles.
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