J.R. Sweezy missed practice all week because of a concussion during the Giants game in New York, and the Seahawks starting right guard will be unavailable to play Sunday against Arizona, coach Pete Carroll said Friday after practice.
“He’s going through the protocol and did not make it,” he said. “So we’ll keep him out this week.
“It happened in the game. We didn’t realize that it was an issue until afterwards.”
Sweezy, a seventh-round draft pick in his second year after making the switch from the defensive line he played in college, has started all 14 games. Carroll was evasive about who will take his place.
“You’ll wait and see on game day, please,” he said.
His replacement likely will be LG Paul McQuistan, who has been splitting time at left guard with James Carpenter. But a season-long question has been whether Carpenter is in sufficient condition to take a full game of snaps.
Another injury that developed after the Giants game, a sprained ankle for CB Jeremy Lane, the primary nickel back, is no longer.
“He made it through practice today so he’s fine,” said Carroll, who also confirmed that WR Percy Harvin will not go again Sunday. He hasn’t played since taking 19 snaps against Minnesota Nov. 17.
Carroll: Playoff format just fine
On the annual late December NFL topic of whether the NFL should revise its playoff format to include only the best records instead of division winners, Carroll unsurprisingly liked things the way they are.
“I support it,” he said. “I’d have to understand what you’re really getting out there and the changes that it would take to get that done. Right now the system is pretty good. I kind of like that when you win the division you get it, whether it’s 7-9 or whatever.”
Browner files another appeal
The agent for cornerback Brandon Browner said he has filed a second appeal after the NFL suspended Browner indefinitely, meaning at least one year, after violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
Peter Schaffer also told CBSSports.com that he may pursue a civil lawsuit to clear his client’s name.
“This decision shows how skewed and screwed up the NFL appeals process is,” Schaffer told the website. “One would think the NFL would hold itself to the most fundamental standards of due process and fairness and equity, and would place the mental health and recovery of its players above all else, but this decision is an absolute disgrace to all those worthy concepts.”
Browner tested positive sometime this year for a street drug, presumed to be marijuana. He also tested positive in 2005-06 while a member of the Denver Broncos. The NFL claimed that he also failed to respond to drug-test requests while he played in the Canadian Football League, a failure that counts the same as a positive test.
A three-strikes violator get a one-year suspension, according to the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players union.
The NFL was reported to have offered a compromise eight-game suspension that Browner rejected.
Schaffer said he had no timetable for the second appeal, but said, “I hope so,” when asked by the Seattle Times if the appeal could be completed in time for Browner to play this season.
Browner thanked fans and the Seahawks organization for their support and maintained he has been wronged in a tweet here.
Browner’s spot on the active roster has been filled by promoting WR Bryan Walters from the practice squad. Walters, a graduate of Juanita High, was on the active roster earlier this season.
Fitzgerald returns to practice
Arizona’s star wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, returned to practice Friday after a concussion Sunday. He’s listed as questionable, but sounded Thursday as if he was ready.
“I’ve never missed a division game in my life, and I don’t plan on starting this weekend,” he told reporters after practice Thursday. “It is a concern, but I’m like anybody else — I just want to go do my job, have a good time and play and win and enjoy it while I have the opportunity.
“There’s no telling how long I’ll be able to play this game or how long anybody will be able to play this game — or live life — but I have an opportunity to do something I truly love doing.”
QB Carson Palmer, who had a sprained ankle Sunday, returned to practice this week and is expected to play, although he remains listed as questionable.