RENTON — Just when it seemed the Seahawks were getting healthy, coach Pete Carroll confirmed Monday that star defensive tackle Brandon Mebane sustained a hamstring injury in Sunday’s win over the New York Giants.
“He’s got a really legit hamstring pull,” Carroll said. “I was kidding about how big (his hamstring) was (Sunday), but it’s legit. He’s out for a while.”
Carroll didn’t offer a timetable for Mebane’s return.
The six-foot-one, 311-pound tackle was a disruptive force through the first nine games of 2014, posting 20 tackles and a sack for a defense that ranks fourth in the NFL with 79.8 rushing yards all0wed per game.
“There’s nobody like Mebane. He’s a very unique player,” Carroll said. “I think he’s had the best season since he’s been here. That’s a big hit to take.”
Mebane is in his eighth year after the Seahawks selected him in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. To fill his spot, Carroll said they’ll turn to 34-year-old DT Kevin Williams, DT Tony McDaniel and second-year DT Jordan Hill. Carroll also didn’t rule out the possibility of signing a free agent, but noted that Demarcus Dobbs, signed last week off waivers from the 49ers, played well in limited action (15 snaps) against the Giants.
The Seahawks could move FB Will Tukuafu, a defensive end out of the University of Oregon who played some D-line with the 49ers, to defense if depth becomes an issue.
“We don’t have any problem at this point,” Carroll said. “We’re always looking, though. We’re always competing to find somebody.”
Injury updates
- MLB Bobby Wagner will do some running this week, Carroll said, but he doesn’t know if he will play Sunday in Kansas City against the Chiefs. Wagner hasn’t appeared in a game since suffering a toe injury Oct. 12 against the Cowboys.
- TE Zach Miller (ankle) won’t play this week. Meanwhile, TE Luke Willson sprained his ankle Sunday and is questionable for the Chiefs, leaving the Seahawks thin at tight end. Look for Cooper Helfet and recently acquired Tony Moeaki, a former Chief, to see increased snaps in Kansas City if Willson doesn’t recover.
- Left guard James Carpenter will likely sit out a second consecutive game after spraining an ankle against the Raiders.
- LB Malcolm Smith and S Kam Chancellor will return to practice this week after missing the past two games with groin injuries.
