Seahawks expect Unger, Kearse, Wright to be back for playoffs

RENTON – Center Max Unger, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, linebacker K.J. Wright and few other injured Seahawks will be back in time for Seattle’s first playoff game, Pete Carroll leaving no doubt about their statuses when he met with the media on Monday.

Seattle’s coach wasn’t as certain about defensive tackle Jordan Hill or safety Jeron Johnson, who were both injured a day earlier in the Seahawks’ regular-season finale. Hill sprained his knee while Johnson dislocated his elbow, and while Carroll said both players could potentially return for the divisional game following Seattle’s first-round bye, he qualified his comments about their chances.

“We’ll see. He’s got a chance in a couple weeks,” Carroll said of Hill. “We’ve got to see how it goes. It wasn’t such that he’s out or anything like that. Both he and Jeron have a chance to make it back. With really good fortune, that could happen.”

Unger missed Seattle’s last six games with a high ankle sprain. Kearse didn’t play Sunday due to an injured hamstring while Wright left in the second half after dislocating a finger.

In addition to those players, Carroll said he also expects cornerback Tharold Simon (shoulder) and tight end Cooper Helfet (ribs) to be back after missing Sunday’s game. Defensive lineman Demarcus Dobbs (ankle) should be back to full speed next week after missing the last three games, Carroll said.

“Five, six guys coming back to us will really help us,” Carroll said. “It will make those decisions much more difficult on the roster when it comes to game time, but that’s a really good thing.”