Alexander out in showdown at St. Louis

[Revelstoke]

Just confirmation of what was already expected.



Associated Press

10/11/2006 4:54:44 PM

KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) - League MVP Shaun Alexander will not play Sunday in Seattle's NFC West showdown at St. Louis despite recent tests that show the crack in a bone in his foot has diminished.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren declared Alexander out on Wednesday. Holmgren called him "iffy" on Monday after a new round of pictures of the left foot Alexander cracked Sept. 24 during a win over the New York Giants showed some healing.

The Seahawks will hope to have last season's NFL rushing leader return for their Oct. 22 home game against Minnesota. Maurice Morris will make his second consecutive start for Alexander against the Rams.

Starting receiver Bobby Engram is questionable for Sunday with an illness that has left him listless and resting at home, yet another challenge for Seattle's recently struggling offence.

"They are thinking it has something to do with his thyroid. So more news is forthcoming," Holmgren said. "He's not going to be around. He's resting at home. He didn't have a lot of energy."

Neither has the team that led the NFL in scoring at more than 28 points per game last season. It is 15th now, averaging 19.5 points. The Seahawks have been held without an offensive touchdown in two of four games, blasphemous for offensive guru Holmgren.

Seattle is coming off its bye that followed a 37-6 loss at Chicago, the worst defeat since Holmgren arrived to coach Seattle in 1999. It was the Seahawks' worst output since a 14-3 defeat to Washington on Nov. 3, 2002.

Engram has 18 catches through four games. Deion Branch could make his first start for Seattle this weekend, opposite team reception leader Darrell Jackson. Holmgren said if Engram does not play, Jackson and Hackett will rotate in Engram's primary role as slot receiver on passing downs. Branch would stay exclusively outside.

[Alec22]

please move this thread into "NFL Talk"