PITTSBURGH -- Seattle wide receiver Deion Branch sprained his right foot and was forced to leave the Seahawks' game against Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Branch's injury came during the second quarter and left quarterback Matt Hasselbeck without his most reliable receiver on a day the Seahawks had little offense, punting on nine of their 10 possessions as Pittsburgh won 21-0.
Branch finished with two receptions for 14 yards, while the Seahawks managed just 144 total yards in the game.
Branch had 20 catches for 329 yards and one touchdown in Seattle's previous three games, including 130 yards on seven catches the week before against San Francisco.
Branch, traded to Seattle early last season, had a 60-yard touchdown catch early in New England's 41-27 victory over Pittsburgh in the January 2005 AFC Championship Game. He had 16 receptions for 277 yards and two touchdowns in his previous three games against the Steelers, all while with New England.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press