Probably as more of a precaution than anything else, Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck sat out this morning's practice to rest a sore back. Hasselbeck came out with the rest of the team and stretched, but apparently couldn't get his back warmed up and ran past a perplexed-looking Mike Holmgren as he headed toward the locker room, saying he would be back. But Hasselbeck never returned.

Linebacker Lofa Tatupu also sat out practice to rest a knee injury. Both are expected to practice tomorrow.

Bobby Engram is banged up and also did not practice this morning.

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Hasselbeck, Tatupu and Engram joined a long list of injured players missing practice this morning. New guys on the list include David Hawthorne (foot), Joel Filani (quad) and Will Robinson (high ankle sprain).

They joined Chris Cooper (hamstring), Larry Tripplett (knee), Red Bryant (knee), Floyd Womack (knee), Marcus Tubbs (knee), Deion Branch (knee), Matt Castelo (knee), Eric Wicks (thigh), Nu'u Tafisi (ankle), Patrick Kerney (calf), Ray Willis (knee), Jordan Babineaux (knee), Chris Spencer(back)and Will Herring (inflammation) as players unable to practice.

Holmgren jokingly held his hands up as if to stop the wave of injured players headed back to the locker room as he made his way to the practice field, coaxing a few smiles from the injured players. Holmgren doesn't seem to be worried about the depleted numbers, as most are being held back to rest nagging injuries and make sure they're ready for the regular-season opener.

With the injuries the Seahawks had only four linebackers available. The team practiced in shells and went through 7-on-7 and team drills. With Hasselbeck gone the offense was not as crisp, as the defensive backs batted down several balls on the day.

Marcus Trufant intercepted a Charlie Frye pass intended for Courtney Taylor on a deep route down the sideline during team drills. And Omare Lowe tipped a ball intended for Bryan Gilmore on a slant route that Jason Babin corralled for an interception.

After getting beat a couple times in the passing game against Minnesota, assistant head coach/secondary coach Jim Mora worked with the defensive backs on staying low coming out of their breaks to maintain better balance, and to not get caught peaking in the backfield on double moves.

Holmgren talked about the team's performance after practice. He said he was pleased with the way the offense performed at the beginning of the game

"We need to play that way," he said. "That's our style of play. It doesn't mean anything if you're tempo is high, but you're not executing and you're throwing the ball all over he place."

Holmgren said the defense played OK against a Minnesota team intent on throwing the ball, but can play better.

"They did a nice job," Holmgren said. "They're a talented group. I thought we missed a couple tackles that we would normally make. ... But I have high expectations for our defensive football team. The bar has been set pretty high. I'm pretty picky, and they know it. So when a player or group doesn't perform to the level I think he's absolutely capable of performing in any game, then I'm going to talk about it or talk to him about it. And it was more that than anything. But they did some good things."

Holmgren also said Julius Jones will get the start at running back after Maurice Morris' impressive performance as the starter against Minnesota.

The team will have a light, special teams practice this afternoon.