The Seahawks began their week of practice Wednesday as they prepare for their divisional round playoff game in Green Bay, and one of the biggest questions this week, from an injury standpoint, is the status of left tackle Duane Brown.
Brown has missed the last three games with a knee injury and had surgery two and a half weeks ago, and while he isn't yet practicing, he is doing work that Seahawks coach Pete Carroll described as encouraging.
"Duane did some work yesterday and is doing work again today," Carroll said. "He won't practice today, but it's an encouraging sign about him making his return. So we'll see what happens. We won't know until late (in the week)."
The status of another starting offensive lineman, left guard Mike Iupati, is not yet known for this week. Iupati missed Seattle's wild-card win in Philadelphia due to a stinger and did not practice Wednesday. Carroll said the Seahawks are currently waiting on a second opinion on that injury.
Also sitting out practice were tackle George Fant (groin), center Joey Hunt (fibula) and defensive end Quinton Jefferson (ankle).
In positive news, defensive end Ziggy Ansah was limited in practice after leaving Sunday's game with a stinger.
"He feels better than the trainers thought he would be after the episode he had in the game," Carroll said. "So he's planning on working his way back into playing. We'll see how it goes during the week."
Also limited was Jadeveon Clowney, who has been dealing with a core injury since Week 10. That's an improvement from last week when Clowney did not practice Wednesday or Thursday before returning to practice Friday and playing in Sunday's game.
Asked about how Clowney came out of Sunday's game, Carroll said, "It's about the same as last week, which is a good sign, because he made it."
Quandre Diggs, who returned from an ankle injury last week, is not on the injury report, and Carroll said the free safety was fine coming out of the game.
"I just talked to him today, he feels good," Carroll said. "He was a little bit sore yesterday. He feels fine, he's ready to go."
Receiver Malik Turner, who missed the past two games with a concussion, was a limited participant on Wednesday.
"We'll see how he responds to the practice," Carroll said. "It's been a little touch and go to get him back, and we're taking care of him to make sure that he's right. He's anxious to get going and see how he feels tomorrow, so that starts today."
Here are the Wednesday practice reports for both teams:
Seattle Seahawks
Did not participate in practice
T Duane Brown (knee)
G Mike Iupati (neck)
T George Fant (groin)
C Joey Hunt (fibula)
DE Quinton Jefferson (ankle)
Limited participation in practice
DE Ziggy Ansah (neck)
WR DK Metcalf (NIR)
WR Malik Turner (concussion)
WR Jaron Brown (knee)
DE Jadeveon Clowney (core)
Full participation in practice
LB Dekoda Watson (calf)
LB Cody Barton (hip)
DT Jarran Reed (biceps)
Green Bay Packers
Did not participate in practice
DL Kenny Clark (back)
TE Jimmy Graham (wrist/NIR)
RB Dexter Williams (illness)
CB Tramon Williams (NIR)
Limited participation in practice
TE Mercedes Lewis (NIR)
LB Preston Smith (ankle)
G/T Billy Turner (ankle)
FB Danny Vitale (knee)
Full participation in practice
T Bryan Bulaga (concussion/NIR)
LB Rashan Gary (shoulder)
WR Allen Lazard (ankle)
C Corey Linsley (back)
LB Blake Martinez (hand)
S Will Redmon (hamstring)
RB Jamaal Williams (shoulder)
