The Seahawks had several players return to practice Thursday after sitting out a day earlier, and while they will be without defensive end Cliff Avril for a minimum of eight weeks with him heading to injured reserve, as well as guard Luke Joeckel, who is recovering from knee surgery, they are otherwise expecting to be relatively healthy for Sunday's game at the New York Giants.

"You saw a number of guys get back on the practice field today, so we're going to go in pretty healthy and in pretty good shape under the circumstances," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said.

Among those returning to action following a day off Wednesday was defensive end Michael Bennett, who is dealing with a foot injury.

"He practiced today, he made it through it," Carroll said. "He's a little sore, but he made it through all of the work, so he looks like he's ready to go."

Jeremy Lane also practiced for the first time since missing Seattle's last game with a groin injury.  

"He got back on the practice field for the first time in a couple weeks," Carroll said. "It was good to see him out there. We've got to assess how that work affected him, but it was great to get him back out."

The Seahawks got a pleasant surprise with Quinton Jefferson returning to practice following hand surgery prior to the bye. When Jefferson sustained the injury in practice just after re-signing with Seattle, Carroll feared the defensive end would be out four or five weeks.

"He can play with that, so he is available to us," Carroll said. "… Everything worked out great. He was out here battling, so he's ready to go. And it's not one of those cumbersome wraps guys get sometimes. So he's got a chance to help us; we're surprised by that."

C.J. Prosise was also back in action the past two days, an encouraging sign for the running back, who missed the past two games with an ankle injury.

""I'm anxious to see how he comes out tomorrow from the work," Carroll said. "He made it through the week. He had a little setback on the first day, was just uncomfortable, but he made it through practice, made it through the next day and made it through today. So that's a really good sign. It gives us a chance to possibly have him available."

Also back after missing Wednesday's practice were Nazair Jones and Marcus Smith.

"Both of those guys bounced and were fine today," Carroll said. "A lot of guys bounced back today, so we're in pretty good shape."

Here are Thursday's practice reports for both teams:

Seattle Seahawks

Did not participate in practice

G Luke Joeckel (knee)

DE Cliff Avril (neck)

S Earl Thomas (not injury related—personal)

Full participation in practice

DE Quinton Jefferson (hand)

S Kam Chancellor (ankle)

CB Richard Sherman (Achilles)

RB C.J. Prosise (ankle)

DE Michael Bennett (heel)

CB Jeremy Lane (groin)

DE Marcus Smith (ankle)

DT Nazair Jones (knee)

New York Giants

Did not participate in practice

LB Jonathan Casillas (neck)

LB Calvin Munson (quadriceps)

C Weston Richburg (concussion)

DE Olivier Vernon (ankle)

Limited participation in practice

S Landon Collins (ankle)

RB Paul Perkins (ribs)

WR Sterling Shepard (ankle)

Full participation in practice

LS Zak DeOssie (wrist/elbow)

CB Eli Apple (NIR)

G John Jerry (tooth)