Seahawks notebook: Carroll optimistic on Harvin

By Danny O’Neil

RENTON – Coach Pete Carroll’s prescription for receiver Percy Harvin’s recovery from a concussion: optimism.

“We’re kind of counting on him to be ready and he should be,” Carroll said of Harvin’s chances of playing in the Super Bowl. “What do I know? I’ve got to check for the doctors, but that’s kind of what I’m hoping.”

Percy Harvin

Harvin was evaluated again Monday, and Carroll indicated the receiver still had not been cleared to practice fully after suffering a concussion in the playoff game against the Saints. However, when Seattle’s players return to practice on Wednesday, Harvin very well may be present.

“He has a very good chance to practice based on how he was on the weekend,” Carroll said. “He was in pretty good shape on the weekend.”

Harvin was acquired in the offseason by Seattle, but appeared in only one regular-season game after undergoing hip surgery back at the beginning of August. He returned for a game against Minnesota on Nov. 17, missed the final five regular-season games then returned to play against the Saints in the divisional round.

Wright gets right

K.J. Wright returned for the NFC Championship Game, and while he didn’t start, he got a healthy rotation of plays.

Carroll declined to say whether Wright would return to the starting spot at weakside linebacker for the Super Bowl. Malcolm Smith started the last five games in that spot.

“We’ll figure it out,” Carroll said of Wright’s role. “He played a lot and played well. I don’t know that answer, and we don’t need to know that yet. But what a great asset for us now.”

In addition to playing weakside linebacker, Wright started at strongside linebacker his first two seasons in the league and has even started a game at middle linebacker.

Stay in your Lane

Cornerback Jeremy Lane was struck by someone on the 49ers sidelines, according to Carroll, during a punt return in the first half of Sunday’s game. That person was not in uniform, wearing a black sweatsuit and appeared to strike Lane with either a forearm or shoulder after Lane had been blocked out of bounds during punt coverage.

“I think that will be a very interesting report back from the league,” Carroll said. “I was really disappointed that it didn’t get called because there is an official that’s on that.”

Carroll indicated the official’s view was obstructed. Seahawks coaches were aware the incident happened and talked to officials during the game. The incident was captured by one of the cameras at the game and replayed once. The replay didn’t clearly show the nature of the collision, and while some wondered if Lane tripped over a down marker that was laying on the sideline, Carroll was clear that Lane was struck by the individual on the 49ers’ sideline.

“He definitely got hit,” Carroll said. “Yeah, he did.”