Hasselbeck cleared to play Sunday

KIRKLAND – During a week when the Seattle Seahawks found out wide receiver Koren Robinson had been suspended and linebacker Chad Brown had to undergo minor knee surgery, a little good news seemed overdue.

It came Friday, when quarterback Matt Hasselbeck practiced for the second consecutive day and was cleared to play in Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills and coach Mike Holmgren said he expects Hasselbeck to start.

“I told him: ‘I don’t want to see you limping. I don’t want any complaints,’ ” Holmgren said. “It’s over now, it’s done. Now we can move on. He had a good practice. He’s going to get treated the next two days, and I don’t want to minimize what happened to him, but he had a good day (Friday).”

Hasselbeck’s bruised right thigh still hurts, but he wasn’t willing to sit out another week.

“It feels good,” Hasselbeck said Friday. “Good enough.”

Hasselbeck passed some physical tests Wednesday afternoon that opened the door for him to practice Thursday. His leg held up well enough for him to be back on the field Friday.

“I think he’s had a good week at practice, getting rid of some of the aches and pains,” quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn said.

Trent Dilfer started last Sunday’s game, completing 14 of 28 passes while throwing two interceptions.

“Trent did a yeoman’s job, but you want all your guys there – certainly your starting quarterback,” Holmgren said. “There really can’t be much rust. He’s got to come in and pick up right where he left off.”

Among those who won’t be available for the Buffalo game are Robinson, who begins a four-game suspension, and Brown, who should be back sometime before the end of the season.

Wide receiver Jerry Rice and linebacker Solomon Bates are slated to step into the starting lineup in their absences.

Linebacker Tracy White is expected to miss at least two more games with a pulled hamstring.

Cornerback Bobby Taylor was downgraded from probable to questionable after missing the entire week of practices with a sore knee.

Wide receiver Darrell Jackson (ankle) and defensive tackle Rashad Moore (shoulder) returned to practice and should be available for Sunday’s game.

Defensive end Chike Okeafor (ankle) did not practice but is expected to play in the game.

Terry might not suit up

For the second week in a row, Seattle right tackle Chris Terry could be unavailable Sunday.

After being suspended last week for violating a team rule, Terry is expected to be sent home to Florida to tend to his ailing mother.

Holmgren said the two discussed the situation after Terry missed practice time this week to be with his mother.

“Next week we can get back to normal,” Holmgren said. “It’s a personal family situation that he and I are trying to handle the best way we can.”

Floyd Womack will start in Terry’s place for the second week in a row, although Holmgren said he expects Terry to return to the starting lineup next Sunday.