Seahawks expect Bennett, Unger to practice this week

By Danny O’Neil

RENTON – A day after the largest come-from-behind victory in Pete Carroll’s tenure as coach, the Seahawks were hoping for a couple more comebacks as center Max Unger and defensive lineman Michael Bennett are expected to practice later this week.

That would help offset the fact that right tackle Breno Giacomini will be out at least a couple more weeks after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his knee Monday.

“The surgery went really well,” Carroll said of Giacomini. “The doctors were really pleased that there weren’t a lot of problems with his knee structurally and that he can get back quickly from this.”

Carroll did not specify a timetable for Giacomini’s return, only that it could be soon.

The impact of his absence would be lessened if Seattle gets Unger back. He sat out Sunday’s game because of an injured triceps, ending a streak of 29 consecutive regular-season starts.

Lemuel Jeanpierre started in Unger’s place, and while Carroll complimented his performance Sunday in Houston, there were three miscues related to snaps and Seattle would certainly benefit from the return of Unger, an All-Pro in 2012.

“Max is going to get some work this week,” Carroll said. “We’ll take good care of him. We’ll see how it goes. 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 ready to go.”

Bennett’s potential return is even encouraging after he was taken off the field on a stretcher Sunday. Thankfully, the injury was not as serious as first feared. Bennett suffered a strained muscle in his lower back and felt so much better Monday that he might be able to return this week.

“He’s going to go this week,” Carroll said. “We’ll see how much he can work with the thought he can play this week.”

As for Giacomini, he’s going to be out at least another couple of weeks, which is good news because there were no structural issues found during the procedure, just a removal of loose bodies from the joint.

“They were able to clean all that up,” Carroll said, “so we’re very hopeful that he’ll have a good return.”

Notes

• LB Bruce Irvin returned from his four-game suspension Monday, reporting to the team’s facility after spending the past four weeks in West Virginia working out. The Seahawks received a roster exemption for Irvin, meaning he can practice this week without the team making room for him on the 53-man roster. However, the team will have to make a roster move by Saturday for Irvin to be eligible to play in Sunday’s game in Indianapolis.

• CB Jeremy Lane suffered a hamstring injury Sunday, which may affect his availability this week.