Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren addressed Deion Branch's injury situation during his news conference yesterday, and admitted that he really doesn't know when Branch is going to be able to return from his knee surgery.

Holmgren said that he thought Branch could come back early, but when pressed he admitted that the injury is generally a nine-month recovery -- which puts Branch's return in October. That is not to say he can't be on the field before that, but it is to say that he probably will not be 100 percent until then. (As an aside, I had contacted an orthopedic surgeon a few months ago, who said regardless of body type and being in shape, nine months is what it takes this injury to properly heal. There just has not been enough progress in medicine to increase the recovery time.)

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With that said, and especially since Branch requires speed, quickness and power for his position, Holmgren said he is preparing as if Branch is not going to be there. If he shows up early, great. But if he prepares as if Branch is not going to be there, then they won't be caught unaware.

I think that is the reason the coaching staff is placing so much emphasis on the wide receivers in this mini-camp, and will be a point of focus into training camp because they know at some point that Courtney Taylor, Ben Obomanu, Logan Payne and Jordan Kent are going to have to contribute.