RENTON — The Seahawks could welcome back TE Cooper Helfet (ankle) Sunday when they host the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field (1:25 p.m, FOX), but C Max Unger (knee/ankle) doesn’t appear ready to return despite making gains in practice late in the week.
Helfet missed the past two games after catching two passes for 27 yards and a touchdown in a Nov. 23 home win over the Arizona Cardinals. But the third-year player out of Duke returned to practice in a limited capacity Thursday and Friday.
He’s listed as questionable.
“It looks like he has a real chance to play if we call on him,” Carroll said following practice.
Unger hasn’t played since injuring his knee and ankle Nov. 16 against the Kansas City Chiefs. In Friday’s injury report, he was listed as doubtful, though Carroll sounded encouraged about the possibility of him returning soon. Backup C Lemuel Jeanpierre will likely start in his place for the second consecutive week.
Also of note: DE Demarcus Dobbs (ankle) was held out of Friday’s practice and has been ruled out for Sunday. RB Marshawn Lynch (back) is listed as probable along with CB Jeremy Lane (glute).
