Seahawks' Frank Clark expected back soon after scuffle

RENTON, Wash. (AP) Frank Clark's discipline for punching teammate Germain Ifedi during the Seattle Seahawks' training camp seems to be expiring.

Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that Clark is expected to return to practice later this week after being sidelined since the fight erupted during practice last Thursday. Carroll called the decision to keep the defensive end out of practice ''coach's discretion.''

Clark was also dealing with a slight knee injury and was wearing a brace over the weekend. Carroll said that was unrelated to the fight.

''It's something that's been bothering him a bit,'' Carroll said. ''It's very slight. We know what is going on. That was not really the issue.''

Clark was sent off for the final half hour of practice Thursday after dropping Ifedi with the punch to the face, which came after an earlier fight involving defensive tackle Rodney Coe and center Will Pericak. Ifedi also left practice as he was being attended to by trainers.

''We've talked to Frank but Frank is good. He just made a mistake, let his temper get the best of him,'' cornerback Richard Sherman said. ''It happens out here, especially when it's hot and you've got grown men going at it. He understands he can't do it and play like that. Pete is just trying to send a message.''

Ifedi, the presumptive starting right tackle, returned to practice Monday for the first time since the fight, although he did not participate in the scrimmage. Ifedi went through team drills before becoming an observer. He's expected to return to full participation Wednesday.

While the Seahawks know when Clark and Ifedi will return, there is still significant uncertainty about the status of rookie Malik McDowell after his involvement in an ATV accident a few weeks before the start of training camp. McDowell has returned home after a brief visit to Seattle and an examination by the Seahawks medical staff.

Carroll confirmed McDowell had multiple injuries, including a concussion, and remained unsure if the second-round pick from Michigan State would play this season. Carroll said he did not consider McDowell's injuries career-threatening and said the lack of details being released was at the wishes of McDowell's family.

''It's going to be quite a while and we're going to have to wait it out. He's on the (non-football injury list) and he's going to be there for a while,'' Carroll said. ''We're just going to have to see how he progresses, really, down the road.''

NOTES: A number of players sat during Monday's scrimmage including OL Luke Joeckel, CB Jeremy Lane, DL Jarran Reed and WR Kasen Wililams. None of their injuries are considered significant. ... DE Dion Jordan, currently on the physically unable to perform list, is likely three or four weeks away from having an evaluation on his conditioning, Carroll said. Jordan just started running as he recovers from knee surgery.

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