The Seahawks wrapped up their week of preparation Thursday before heading to Minneapolis, where they will face the Vikings in their third game of the preseason. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed that, as usual, starters will see their most action of the preseason in this game, playing into the second half, but he is also excited to see the overall depth of the team coming to life with several injured players either returning to action or being able to play more this week than they did last week.
"We're actually seeing some guys come back," Carroll said. "It feels like we have a little bit bigger of a roster than we've had with some guys coming out of some stuff they've been dealing with.
"We'll see some guys in big order," Carroll added. "We're going to see Dontae Johnson for a good dose of plays. Jacob Martin just had limited plays last week; he's going to have a big role this week. We'll see more of George Fant this week, he'll get a good shot… Mo Alexander, last week was his first week, he got a dozen plays; he'll get to play a lot. It just feels like we're going to get more impact from guys that we need more information on. So it should be a good week for us."
Another player expected to see more playing time is running back C.J. Prosise, who missed the first preseason game, and as a result was limited last week.
"C.J. was very limited in his first game, he's not so limited this time around," Carroll said. "He'll play more. What I'm looking for is him to just play football. I know he's a good ball player, I don't have any question—just go out there and battle and club away and hopefully make a couple plays. Really this is just about consistency for him and coming back and coming back, continuing to return to the playing field. We're just excited to have him working and practicing with us, because it has been so erratic over the time he has been with us. So he's going to play quite a bit."
Receiver Brandon Marshall has appeared in both preseason games, but is also expected to see his workload increase.
"Now that he popped back last week, which really was the first time he really felt good, and this week was the best week he has had, so he's ready to go," Carroll said. "He'll get some good play time this week and see how it fits together with Russ and the offense and giving himself to be a part of the club."
Guard D.J. Fluker is also expected to play despite dislocating a finger in last week's game.
"I think Fluke's going, we'll see how long he lasts," Carroll said. "He just wants to play so bad, he's playing. A lot of guys wouldn't play, but he has made it through practice and his spirit is awesome. He wants to be out there. He'll get some playtime, we'll see how much."
Carroll also said recently-signed pass-rusher Erik Walden should make his preseason debut, though seeing as he signed just a week ago, Carroll added, "He won't play a lot, but we'd like to get him out there some."
Among those not expected to play are guard J.R. Sweezy, safety Bradley McDougald, cornerback Byron Maxwell, receiver Amara Darboh and cornerback Neiko Thorpe.
On Sweezy, Carroll said the hope is to get the veteran guard back for next week's game: "Sweez is not ready to play in this game. He practiced this week some. Next week is really a big game for him to see if he can play in that fourth game. He's playing left guard and working at that, making that transition. He's going to battle (Ethan) Pocic for his spot, and we'll see how he does. He's very positive about it, it feels good, but it's a high-ankle sprain, so you have to work your way through the pushing on people and driving off of it; he's getting there."
Maxwell, who is dealing with a hip flexor injury, "is not quite there yet," Carroll said.
Darboh, who has a clavicle issue, did practice this week, and the hope is to have him back for next week's game. "We're going to get him back in action next week," Carroll said. "He's almost there, he's working and practicing and all that, but they're not ready to cut him loose. Hopefully next week is a good shot for him. He has missed some really valuable time, so he's got to make the most of next week."
Thorpe also could make it back for the final preseason game. "Neiko's got a chance (next week), we've got to wait and see," Carroll said. "He's got the crack in his wrist, it's just got to settle down so he can use it and stab with it and all that, he's not quite there yet. He's running, he's in great shape and everything."
Carroll also gave an update on running back J.D. McKissic, who injured his foot earlier this week in practice.
"It's a 4-6 week deal for J.D.," Carroll said. "We really miss him, he has been such a spark plug on our club and done so many things that it's unfortunate he's going to miss. But we'll get him back eventually and he'll have a chance to get back out there."
