BRADY HENDERSON

Seahawks injury notes: A.J. Francis promoted with Jordan Hill, Demarcus Dobbs ailing

Nov 30, 2015, 4:33 PM | Updated: 4:36 pm

DT A.J. Francis joins Seattle’s defensive line rotation with Jordan Hill and Demarcus Dobbs i...

DT A.J. Francis joins Seattle's defensive line rotation with Jordan Hill and Demarcus Dobbs injured. (AP)

(AP)

The Seahawks promoted A.J. Francis from their practice squad on Monday, adding depth at defensive tackle with Demarcus Dobbs and Jordan Hill both dealing with injuries.

Dobbs left Sunday’s game to due to a concussion and will go through the league-mandated evaluation this week while Hill hurt his ankle against Pittsburgh. Carroll said Francis would slide into Seattle’s defensive-line rotation if either Dobbs or Hill can’t play Sunday against Minnesota.

The Seahawks claimed Francis off waivers from Miami on Nov. 16, waived him last week then re-signed him to their practice squad.

Seattle had an open roster spot with with tight end Jimmy Graham being placed on injured reserve, an expected move after he sustained a season-ending tear of the patellar tendon in his right knee on Sunday. Carroll didn’t have any details on when he will have surgery but reiterated that Graham is expected to be back by the start of next season, which he told “Brock and Salk” earlier Monday.

Backup tight end Luke Willson will assume the starting role in Graham’s absence while Cooper Helfet will also play more. The Seahawks will presumably add another tight end as Willson and Helfet are the only two on Seattle’s active roster. Carroll indicated as much, saying: “We may do some things here in the next day or so.”

Two names to keep in mind are a pair of former Seahawks, Anthony McCoy and RaShaun Allen. McCoy is a free agent after being released last week by Washington while Allen is on New Orleans’ practice squad, which means he could be signed to Seattle’s active roster. Zach Miller is also available, but he hasn’t played since September of last year, when he sustained a season-ending ankle injury that required multiple surgeries.

Here are some other injury-related notes from Carroll’s media availability:

• Cornerback Jeremy Lane is “pretty sore” after playing more than anticipated Sunday in his first game since the Super Bowl, but Carroll said that shouldn’t affect his availability this week. Lane finished with 34 snaps on defense and 19 more on special teams. He took over at nickelback once Marcus Burley injured his ankle.

• Carroll called it a minor ankle sprain for Burley and said he has a chance to make it back by this week.

• Wide receiver Paul Richardson has a good chance of returning this week from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him the past two games. Carroll said Richardson could even be a full participant in practice as early as Wednesday. “He really feels great and we should have him back,” Carroll said.

• Linebacker Bruce Irvin made it through Sunday’s game without issue and will practice this week. He was listed as doubtful heading into the game due to a knee injury but felt better than expected during pregame warmups and ended up playing 34 total snaps.

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