Seahawks won’t have Richardson, Hill Sunday

WR Paul Richardson’s single catch of the season, a 40-yarder against Arizona Nov. 15, is becoming increasingly costly. He strained his hamstring on the play, and the injury will keep him out of a third consecutive game Sunday when the Seahawks play the Vikings in Minneapolis.

Coach Pete Carroll confirmed Richardson will be out and said he’s unlikely to be ready for the next game at Baltimore Dec. 13.

Richardson’s return for the Arizona game was a milestone for the second-year pro out of Colorado, who had ACL knee surgery after an injury in the 2014 playoffs. Then came the hamstring.

“His hamstring just isn’t coming back,’’ Carroll said. “It’s just lingered a little bit.

“It just hasn’t gone away yet like we had hoped.’’

The Seahawks already are missing WR Ricardo Lockette from the receiver group, as well as TE Jimmy Graham, both out for the season. Carroll said Graham had successful surgery Wednesday to repair the patellar tendon in his right knee that was ruptured against Pittsburgh Sunday. He has returned to his home state of Florida.

“As the doctors report, it went really well,’’ Carroll said. “He was uncomfortable, I know, with the next couple of days, fighting through it to get started getting back. It was a difficult surgery for him.’’

Seattle’s three primary receivers, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kears and Tyler Lockett, have been recently supplemented by rookie Kevin Smith, a former Washington Huskies player, and converted QB B.J. Daniels.

Carroll hinted the they may make a roster move Saturday. Available on the practice squad is another ex-Husky, Kasen Williams.

The Seahawks will also be without backup DL Jordan Hill, who has an injured toe. He came out of Sunday’s game. D-line teammate Demarcus Dobbs is also out with a concussion, meaning that a newcomer,  330-pound A.J. Francis, likely will see action against the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL.

“He plays big,’’ Carroll said. “We think he’s going to hold the point real well.”

The secondary is close to full strength with the likely return of  CB Marcus Burley, who came out Sunday with a minor ankle sprain. And CB Jeremy Lane, sore after an unexpected 35 plays in his return Sunday from knee and arm injuries in the Super Bowl, seems ready for more action as the nickel back.

“We’re excited about that,” Carroll said. “He did some nice things last week and we’re looking forward to him getting a little bit more action.”