The Seahawks had linebacker K.J. Wright on the field when their practice week began on Wednesday, but another key defensive player is away from the team rehabbing an injury that has his Week 16 status in question.
Strong safety Bradley McDougald, who left last week's game with a knee injury that has been bothering him throughout much of the year, "is going to be in rehab all week," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday. "He'll be out of the area working on his stuff, but we'll see him back on Friday."
Asked if McDougald would be able to play in Sunday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Carroll answered, "possibly."
Wright, who returned to practice on a limited basis last week, has missed five straight games and 11 overall with a knee injury this season. His return to practice doesn't guarantee he'll play Sunday, but he's definitely making progress.
"He's practicing, so he's ready to go today and we'll just go one day at a time," Carroll said. "Really excited about him getting the chance to get back out there, of course, and he looks so good on the field. He's a monster out there, so it's great to see him and Bobby (Wagner) lining up together. We'll see if we can carry that throughout the week."
Wright didn't make any guarantees about playing this week, but said, "I felt good last week in practice, I'm going to practice again this week. Hopefully everything goes well and I can be back out there on Sunday."
Wright added that his knee "feels night and day better" than when he initially returned from the injury earlier this season.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Seahawks do not yet know if they'll get right guard D.J. Fluker back from the hamstring injury that has kept him out of the past two games.
"He's going to try to find out what he can do at the end of the week," Carroll said. "We're not going to know until the end of the week."
If Fluker can't play, the Seahawks will have a new starter at that position, as Fluker's replacement, Jordan Simmons, was placed on injured reserve Tuesday because of a knee injury sustained in last week's game.
Also uncertain is the status of running back Rashaad Penny, who missed last week's game with a knee injury.
"He's going to try to do some stuff tomorrow," Carroll said. "It's uncertain if he can get back, we don't know yet. He's really determined to try to get it back, so Friday is the day he can go for it, show that he can run and get rolling. He has been really diligent about his rehab, so we'll see what happens."
With Penny out last week, the Seahawks had a couple of tense moments when both Chris Carson and Mike Davis momentarily appeared to be injured. Both turned out to be OK, but for a team that wants to run the ball like Seattle does, having a lot of depth at running back is important, which is why they signed Bo Scarbrough off Jacksonville's practice squad.
"That's insurance for us," Carroll said. "We're serious about running the football, and this is a guy who gives us an attack mentality and the physical aspect of it in the event that maybe we are coming up short there. I think we realized it during the game last week when a couple of guys got banged, and all of a sudden, bang, bang, you're down to your last running back. Those guys were fine, but it did remind us of the sense of urgency. So we're hoping Rashaad's back, we'll see what happens.
Asked to describe Scarbrough, Carroll said, "He's a hammer. He's big and strong, a slasher, a real physical guy. He's a big kid, he handles the ball well, he catches the ball well. He was a bigtime player at Alabama."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 15 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks offensive lineman Jordan Roos boards the team's charter with his signature cowboy hat with an accompanying Western-themed bag.
Seahawks Shaquem Griffin, Jacob Martin and Emmanuel Ellerbee walk to the team's charter flight for the trip to face the 49ers.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr., head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider walk to the buses after arrival in San Jose for the game against the 49ers.
On game day, linebacker Bobby Wagner walked from the team hotel to the bus for the trip to Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson pauses to take a group selfie with a volleyball team in San Jose to play in a tournament.
This young 12 was attending his first Seahawks game.
Defensive end Jacob Martin signs an autograph prior to the game.
Seahawks George Fant, Russell Wilson, Germain Ifedi and Justin Britt wait for the team to be introduced during pregame introductions.
Running back Chris Carson stands at attention during the national anthem.
Linebacker Austin Calitro tackles 49ers receiver Kendrick Bourne during the first quarter.
Seahawks offensive tackle Duane Brown blocks and leads the way for running back Chris Carson during the first quarter.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin catches a five-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone for Seattle's first score.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles out of the pocket.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett executes a perfect toe-tap as he makes a falling catch along the sidelines in front offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, teammates and staff members.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson leaps for yardage.
Seattle special teams members Neiko Thorpe and Justin Coleman down a Michael Dickson punt inside the five yard line.
Seahawks defenders Bobby Wagner, Branden Jackson and Poona Ford combine to make a stop.
Seattle's Shaquill Griffin and Austin Calitro defend as 49ers receiver Kendrick Bourne goes airborne.
Seattle's Chris Carson races up the sideline for along gain as tackle Duane Brown leads the way.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin stretches and gets the ball over the goal line for his second touchdown of the game.
Seahawks receiver David Moore leapfrogs teammate Doug Baldwin after Baldwin's extraordinary second-effort touchdown in the second quarter.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett and Tre Madden review the previous drive on the sidelines.
12s were loud and visible as usual on the road in Santa Clara for the game against the 49ers.
This Seahawks Santa had his "nice" list ready in the stands at Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson punts from deep in the Seattle end.
Seahawks defensive lineman Jarran Reed gets a hand on 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens, resulting in an incomplete pass.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer meet near the sideline during a break in the action.
Seattle's Russell Wilson pitches an option lateral to teammate Tyler Lockett.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett fights for the end zone but fall just short at the end of the third quarter.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson muscles his way to the goal line for a touchdown as the Seahawks faced fourth down.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin breaks up a pass in the third quarter.
Seattle's Delano Hill knocks away a pass intended for 49ers tight end George Kittle in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark hits 49ers quarterback Nick Mullen in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's Frank Clark keeps his hands away from Nick Mullen as they fall to the ground.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr., celebrates with the defense after forcing the 49ers to punt late in the game.
Seattle's Jarran Reed sacks San Francisco's Nick Mullens late in the game.
Seattle's Jarran Reed records his second sack of the game, bringing down 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens for the second time in the same drive late in the game.
Seahawks defenders Jacob Martin and Jarran Reed gallop in celebration of a sack in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defensive tackle Poona Ford rubs his belly after a tackle for loss in overtime.
The Seahawks unsuccessfully try to get a hand on the 49ers game-winning field goal in overtime.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll walks off the rainy field at Levi's Stadium after the overtime defeat.
On board, linebackers Bobby Wagner and Austin Calitro chat before takeoff for the return flight to Seattle.
Seahawks fans were waiting in the rain to greet the team upon their return to Seattle.
