Russell Okung should be able to play for Seahawks

Published on September 18, 2012 by Tacoma News Tribune (Feed)     

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said offensive tackle Russell Okung could not perform at full speed when trainers worked him out before the Dallas game Sunday, so the he decided to have him sit.

Okung missed Seattle’s game against the Cowboys with a bone bruise on his left knee.

“He tried really hard to get back the last couple days,” Carroll said. “He did the work on the field, and was at practice and practicing. But we needed to see if he could take it another step on that day, and get a little better. But he wasn’t good enough to be able to protect himself and play at a high level.”

Frank Omiyale started in place of Okung, and Carroll said he played well, doing his best to limit the damage from Dallas outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

“You expect guys to jump in there and obviously do their best,” Carroll said. “We need them to hold up the same level of play however they can to the first-rate kind of stuff we’re counting on.

“Frank did that. He got knocked around a couple of times, he was playing against a great player, but he held his own and had a good credible game and we’re thankful he was able to get that done.”

Carroll said that Okung was well enough Sunday that he should be able to play against Green Bay on Sept. 24.

“He should be able to make it – particularly with the next couple days … we can rest him,” Carroll said. “So he won’t have to practice until Thursday. So that will give him a good break.”

The team was off Monday and today. The next regular practice will be Thursday.

Carroll said that cornerback Byron Maxwell has a first-degree hamstring strain that needs further evaluation.

And tight end Zach Miller did not play much in the second half because of a sore foot that kept him out of practice most of last week. Carroll said Miller will get more time to rest the foot this week, and get re-evaluated Thursday.

Carroll said that offensive lineman John Moffitt got banged up in the game, which is why rookie J.R. Sweezy, who started the season opener at Arizona, got some time at right guard.

The two will continue to compete for snaps with the starters.

“The competition is definitely on there,” Carroll said. “John did all right. And J.R. did pretty well, too. Neither one of them had any glaring mistakes that hurt their cause. Both could play better, but they did a nice job.”

Carroll said guard James Carpenter will get a full workload for the first time this week, but probably still is a few weeks away from playing in a game. Carpenter continues to work at left guard.

“He’s way ahead of schedule,” Carroll said about Carpenter, who had ACL knee surgery in December. “We’re thrilled with what he’s doing – and the fact he’s out competing and taking pass rushes and all of that stuff full-go in practice.”

via Russell Okung should be able to play for Seahawks | Seattle Seahawks – The News Tribune.

Tags: Bone Bruise, coach pete carroll, Couple Days, cowboys, Dallas Game, Demarcus Ware, First Degree, Frank Omiyale, Full Speed, Green Bay, John Moffitt, Left Knee, Maxwell, offensive lineman, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, Second Half, Sit, Sore Foot, Tight End, Zach Miller