Hamlin visits teammates at practice

KIRKLAND, Wash. – As if the prospect of facing their biggest NFL rival weren’t enough to fire them up, the Seattle Seahawks got some more inspiration this week in the presence of their fallen teammate.

Safety Ken Hamlin visited some teammates in the locker room on Wednesday and watched practice Friday as the Seahawks prepared for Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams.

“Before he got hurt, he was one of the main leaders on the defense,” defensive tackle Rocky Bernard said after Friday’s practice. “Just to have him out there showing support and showing that he’s still a part of us, that was hugely important for us today.”

Hamlin, showing no visible signs of the head injuries he suffered in an Oct. 17 incident in Pioneer Square, was all smiles while he joked with teammates and coaches during an afternoon practice.

“Just to see him out there walking and doing well, looking like he’s healthy, that’s just a blessing,” said defensive tackle Chartric Darby, who welcomed Hamlin to practice with a warm hug.

Hamlin’s case remains under investigation. What is known is that he was involved in an altercation outside of Larry’s Nightclub a few hours after the Seahawks’ 42-10 win over the Houston Texans, leaving him with a fractured skull and some bleeding of the brain.

Hamlin was released from a hospital less than a week later but will not play again this season.

Hamlin’s presence was especially soothing to Bernard, who was at Larry’s with Hamlin on the morning of the incident. Bernard admitted that it took some time to get over the distraction.

“It’s hard, especially when you see something like that happen to a teammate,” Bernard said. “You never want to see that happen to him. It’s just not that easy to say, ‘OK, move on,’ because you’re concerned about his health.”

Coach Mike Holmgren said that Hamlin expressed interest in attending Sunday’s game against the Rams but that doctors advised against it.

Tubbs, Lewis still questionable

Defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs (calf) and linebacker D.D. Lewis (knee) were held out of practice and will be game-day decisions.

If Tubbs can’t play, Bernard would probably start in his place. Veteran Rodney Bailey would probably see his first playing time of the season as the fourth defensive tackle.

If Lewis can’t play, Kevin Bentley would probably get the nod. Rookie Leroy Hill is already expected to start at outside linebacker in place of injured Jamie Sharper (knee).

Hill is making his second consecutive start, having filled in for Lewis in last Sunday’s win over Arizona.

“I’m learning week to week, day to day,” Hill said.