From combined dispatches
Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck served as spectator all week during practice.
He’ll likely reprise that role Sunday for the Seahawks (1-3).
Hasselbeck, who has a sore right knee, hasn’t received clearance to play against Green Bay, meaning that Charlie Frye will likely be the starter against the Packers, coach Mike Holmgren said after practice Friday.
Frye, the only completely healthy quarterback on the roster, took almost all the snaps in practice this week, while Hasselbeck rested his knee and backup Seneca Wallace nursed a sore calf.
Holmgren said there is still a slight chance Hasselbeck could play, but Holmgren must believe Hasselbeck won’t be at an increased risk of injury.
“Matt, I’m not sure. It will be a game-day decision there,” Holmgren said. “The thing just has not responded. He can’t do much with his leg. It’s not ligaments, it’s not anything like that. It’s just sore. He doesn’t have the green light to play. He could get it, but I have got to feel like he’s not too vulnerable out there.”
Hasselbeck, officially listed as questionable, was walking fine as he watched practice in his normal red No. 8 jersey and a neon green hat. But the knee he hyperextended on a hit early in last weekend’s 44-6 loss at the New York Giants has not shown progress, meaning Holmgren had to retract his words from earlier in the week that even if Hasselbeck didn’t practice this week, he would play against the Packers.
EAGLES: All-Pro running back Brian Westbrook will miss his second game in three weeks when Philadelphia visits San Francisco on Sunday.
Westbrook broke two ribs in the Eagles’ 23-17 loss to Washington last Sunday, though he finished the game. He sat out a 24-20 loss at Chicago on Sept. 28 with an ankle injury.
Two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews (back) and wide receiver Reggie Brown (groin) also won’t play.
GIANTS: Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce plans to play against Cleveland on Monday despite missing two straight practices with a thigh injury.
“I will never miss a game unless I am on IR, so I’ll be there,” Pierce said.
Pierce was vague when asked how he hurt his thigh, but indicated it probably happened when he was running during the Giants’ win over Seattle.
If Pierce can’t play, Chase Blackburn would replace him.
BROWNS: Tight end Kellen Winslow will spend a second night in the hospital with an undisclosed illness that could keep him out of Monday night’s game against the New York Giants.
Winslow was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic on Thursday. He practiced Monday but had been feeling ill for several days and the team sent him to the doctor for further tests and evaluation.
RAVENS: Cornerback Fabian Washington will miss Sunday’s game against Indianapolis with a dislocated right shoulder, further thinning a secondary poised to face Peyton Manning.
Washington was filling in for starter Samari Rolle, who is out at least a month following neck surgery last week. Frank Walker will start at cornerback, backed up by Corey Ivy.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville will be without wide receiver Mike Walker for Sunday’s game at Denver.
Walker, who has 12 catches for 161 yards, injured his knee against Pittsburgh last Sunday.
The Jaguars also listed safety Reggie Nelson (knee) and center Brad Meester (biceps) as out.
FALCONS: Atlanta listed Roddy White as questionable for Sunday’s game against Chicago after the receiver missed a second straight practice.
White, whose 454 yards receiving rank third in the league, was knocked out of Wednesday’s practice after hitting his head in a collision with safety Lawyer Milloy.
NFL NETWORK: The Federal Communications Commission has sided with the NFL in a long-running programming dispute with Comcast Corp., ruling that Comcast should carry the NFL Network on its popular digital cable package.
The FCC ruled that Comcast discriminated against the NFL Network by agreeing to carry the channel only on a more expensive sports tier. The NFL filed the complaint against Comcast in May.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.