Seahawks notebook: No changing of the (left) guard?
Jan 24, 2014, 3:19 PM | Updated: 4:37 pm
By Danny O’Neil
RENTON – Coach Pete Carroll didn’t quite say that James Carpenter would once again start at left guard, but he did strongly hint in that direction after the Seahawks concluded their week of practices.
“We liked the way it went last week,” Carroll said when asked about left guard.
Carpenter was benched in the divisional playoff game against New Orleans, a healthy scratch as rookie Michael Bowie started his first game at that spot. Carpenter was back in the lineup against San Francisco, alternating quarters with Paul McQuistan.
Carroll was asked who would start at the position in the Super Bowl, and while he initially said he would wait to say, he did strongly point toward the Carpenter-McQuistan tandem.
“It was more likely to be like that than it was a couple of weeks ago,” Carroll said.
LB all Wright
Linebacker K.J. Wright was held out of practice on Friday, a precaution as he returns from the foot injury that kept him out the final three regular-season games and Seattle’s playoff opener against New Orleans.
“We’re just taking care of him,” Carroll said, “making sure we get through this week.”
Wright suffered a broken bone in his foot, and he returned to the field in the NFC Championship Game. He didn’t start that game as Malcolm Smith remained the team’s starting weakside linebacker, but Carroll said he’s pretty sure Wright will be back in the starting lineup for the Super Bowl.
“If he’s fine through the week and all that, he’ll play,” Carroll said. “He’ll start.”
Harvin gets the green light
Percy Harvin participated in his most extensive week of practice since undergoing hip surgery in August as he is completely cleared from the concussion suffered against New Orleans and ready to play.
“He looked like he was full speed, 100 percent the whole time,” Carroll said. “He looks ready to go. No hesitation in saying that.”
There will be no restrictions on Harvin’s participation in the Super Bowl up to and including kickoff returns, according to Carroll.
“He’s going and he’ll be fully involved from the kicking game all throughout,” Carroll said.
