OL Luke Joeckel expected to miss 4-5 weeks for Seahawks

Seahawks offensive guard Luke Joeckel will be out for four to five weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee, Pete Carroll told reporters Tuesday. The Seahawks were prepared to be without Joeckel for their Week 7 matchup against the New York Giants (1-5), though the initial hope was that the veteran lineman would miss less time.

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“It just got to the point where it wasn’t getting any better, and we needed to do something for the long haul,” Carroll said. “And so we’ll get him back to finish the season, and I’m not sure when that will happen, but when he comes back he shouldn’t be restricted in any way either. He should be fine.”

Joeckel, 25, had the procedure done to clean up issues from a previous ACL injury in his left knee. This will be Joeckel’s first time sitting out; he was signed in the offseason to a 1-year deal worth $8 million, and has appeared in every game for the Seahawks this season.

Mark Glowinski and rookie Ethan Pocic will battle at left guard this week as the team looks to fill Joeckel’s role. Both players could see time Sunday.

“We’re very fortunate to have (Glowinski) in that competition because of his background,” Carroll said. “He’s started and he’s played a lot of football for us, and he knows our system, he’s been on that side, all of that stuff. But also, we’re so encouraged by Ethan’s play that we want to give him a chance to see how far he can take it in the coming weeks here and see what it means. This week may not be the indication of what happens over the next few weeks. We’re going to start the competition and let these guys go at it.”

Rumors swirled last week of a deal between the Seahawks and veteran offensive lineman Branden Albert, though Tuesday’s press conference offered little development on that front. Carroll said the Seahawks spent “a good while” with Albert, but did not reach an agreement.

Carroll also fielded questions about defensive end Michael Bennett (foot) and running back C.J. Prosise (ankle), both of whom appeared primed to play Sunday, and provided updates on Dion Jordan (knee), cornerback DeShawn Shead (knee), and defensive tackle Malik McDowell.

After missing Week 5 with an ankle injury, Prosise will practice full-speed this week. Bennett, who is dealing with a plantar fascia injury, played through the injury in the Seahawks’ 16-10 win over the Rams in Week 5, but had to step out briefly in the second quarter. Bennett went through the team’s Tuesday walk-through, and Carroll said he “feels like he’s going to be able to play.”

Shead and Jordan will not practice just yet, but Carroll said both are pushing to return. Defensive tackle Malik McDowell, whom Carroll said was cleared for physical activity two weeks ago, will spend time working with trainers this week. The Seahawks rookie missed training camp and all of Seattle’s games after he sustained a serious concussion in an offseason vehicular accident.

“It’s a very positive sign for him, and I’m glad he can finally get going again. He really wants to be playing football.”

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