SEATTLE (Oct. 25, 2006) -- Shaun Alexander is running for the first time since he broke his left foot last month, putting him on track to return for the Seahawks next week after a four-game absence.
Alexander ran on a treadmill and coach Mike Holmgren said that last season's NFL rushing leader and MVP had no problems with continuing his workouts on Oct. 25. That means Seattle (4-2) is expecting Alexander to play on Nov. 6 against Oakland.
He listed as doubtful for the Oct. 29 game at Kansas City.
"His foot responded well," Holmgren said. "He will continue to increase his workload this week, with the target being next week's game."
Holmgren acknowledges that without Alexander and Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, backup QB Seneca Wallace becomes even more of a target. Wallace, a four-year veteran, will be making his first career start.
"If we still had Shaun, this would be a little bit different," Holmgren said of life without Hasselbeck, out for at least three weeks with a strained knee ligament. "We wouldn't have to rely on the quarterback so much."
Still, Holmgren said there is no temptation to resist rushing Alexander back because he has no say in the decision.
"I could go in and pound the table, (saying) 'He's playing this week,' and doctors say, 'No he's not.' That's OK. That's a medical call," Holmgren said.
