Mon Oct 13 20:09:30 2008

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Seahawks QB Hasselbeck out at least one more week

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Renton, WA (Sports Network) - Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will miss at least one more week due to a bulging disc in his back that is causing problems with his sore knee.

Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said in his press conference on Monday that Hasselbeck will miss Sunday night's game at Tampa Bay.

Hasselbeck saw a specialist in Los Angeles, who found that the disk problem in his back was causing the weakness in the quarterback's right knee. Hasselbeck hyperextended the knee in the Seahawks' loss to the New York Giants on October 5.

"I'm a little bit hesitant to characterize the pain," said Holmgren. "I think it's creating a weakness in his leg more than pain. I think that's what's preventing him from playing. As soon as we can get that strength back in there...that's tied in more with his back than his knee right now."

Charlie Frye got the starting nod this past week in a 27-17 loss to Green Bay, his first start since Week 1 of 2007 with the Cleveland Browns. Frye struggled, completing only 12-of-23 passes for 83 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Holmgren said if Seneca Wallace can practice this week and overcome a calf injury he'll start at Tampa Bay. If not, then Frye will be back under center.

"The problem is that Seneca's game, a lot of it is quickness, and this injury he has directly relates to that," said Holmgren. "So, the question would be: Can he play the game the way he plays the game, not just be out there? You have to weigh the two of them and [see] who actually is in a better position to play. That's what we're going to be looking at."

Hasselbeck has completed 58-of-118 passes for 656 yards with a pair of touchdowns and four interceptions this season for the Seahawks (1-4). The Boston College product missed only the 10th game of his 10-year career -- first since 2006.