Skip to main content

Seahawks rule out Unger, Helfet doubtful

RENTON, Wash. (AP) For the first time since Week 5, the Seattle Seahawks have just three players listed as questionable or worse heading into Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Center Max Unger has officially been ruled out for the third straight week with a high-ankle sprain. Head coach Pete Carroll is optimistic that Unger will have a chance to return next week for Seattle's rematch against the San Francisco 49ers.

''Max is running, not enough to compete for this week, but he has a chance next week,'' Carroll said. ''It will be day-to-day when he starts coming truly back but he has a chance to get back and compete for it.''

Tight end Cooper Helfet is listed as doubtful to play with a high-ankle sprain as well, but Carroll said Helfet will get a chance to test his ankle in pregame warmups.

''Cooper wants to run. He thinks he can show us something on game day. We'll see what happens with that,'' Carroll said.

Cornerback Jeremy Lane will be a game-time decision with a glute injury. He's listed as questionable. Carroll had seemed confident Lane would be able to play this week after getting extra days off following their victory over the 49ers on Thanksgiving night. However, Lane didn't practice Thursday and was limited on Friday.

The Seahawks are still carrying an open roster spot that Carroll said the team will fill prior to Sunday's game, though Carroll wouldn't specify what the move will be.

''This is all I got is this little teeny bit of suspense, so I'm going to hold it,'' Carroll said.

The move will likely be a promotion from their 10-man practice squad.

The spot has been vacant since Seattle placed linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis on injured reserve last Friday. The team had claimed defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy off waivers to fill the spot but Purifoy failed his physical with the team and was released.