Taken off field on stretcher, Hawks' Michael Bennett to practice this week
Michael Bennett (Photo courtesy of seahawks.com)
By Clare Farnsworth
Seahawks.com
RENTON -- The Seahawks got some good news Monday on defensive lineman Michael Bennett, who was taken off the field on a stretcher and to a Houston hospital after suffering a back injury while running into Texans quarterback Matt Schaub Sunday.
“Michael is going to be OK,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He’s going to practice this week. He went from where he was to he’s feeling pretty good today. So we’re really excited about that for him. He was really scared. But he’s going to go this week and we’ll see how much he can work, with the thought that he can play this week.”
Max Unger did not play against the Texans because of an arm injury, but Carroll said the All-Pro center will get some work this week as the team prepares for Sunday’s game against the Colts in Indianapolis.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Carroll said. “I’m sure we’ll be very protective of him early in the week and hope by the end of the week he’ll be able to go.”
Backup cornerback and leading special-teams tackler Jeremy Lane has what Carroll called a “hamstring issue,” adding, “We’ve got to figure out what that’s all about.”
BRUCE IRVIN RETURNS
Rush-end/linebacker Bruce Irvin rejoined the team Monday after serving a league-imposed four-game suspension. The club has a one-week roster exemption for its first-round draft choice last year, but Irvin will practice this week.
“We’re excited to see Bruce come back,” Carroll said. “He’s in the building and was excited to get back with us.”
Irvin led all NFL rookies with eight sacks last season and this offseason also was working at outside linebacker.
“We’ll see how he fits in as we start practice up on Wednesday,” Carroll said.