Injury again forces Tatupu out of game

Injury again forces Tatupu out of game
Tests Monday to determine extent of groin strain
By CLARE FARNSWORTH
P-I REPORTER

SAN FRANCISCO -- Lofa Tatupu's season of pain continues.

The Pro Bowl middle linebacker left Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers after straining his groin in the first quarter of the Seahawks' 34-13 victory and did not return.

Tatupu is scheduled to have additional tests Monday, which will determine the extent of the injury and how much time he might miss. He sat out most of last week's game against the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay after a concussion in the first quarter. He already was playing with a knee he bruised during the preseason and a cast on his right hand.

"He'll miss some practice time," was all coach Mike Holmgren offered when asked about Tatupu's latest injury.

As he did against the Bucs, D.D. Lewis stepped in when Tatupu went out. He finished with nine tackles, after collecting 11 against Tampa Bay to tie his career high.

"D.D. was really good out there," Tatupu said. "He kept his composure and made sure everyone else was in the right place.

"We had a good plan and we executed it well."

Lewis tried to shrug off his latest fill-in, but not fall-off, effort.

"Filling for a guy like Lofa is very difficult," he said. "He's the leader of our defense and just executes out there, so it puts a lot of pressure on you to prepare yourself to go in and try to execute like he does."

It could be extra stressful if Tatupu can't play in this week's game against the Eagles at Qwest Field. Tatupu has intercepted four passes in his only two games against the Eagles -- three last season and another that he returned for a touchdown in 2005.

"You're talking about a Pro Bowl guy who's really got this defense on lock," Lewis said. "It's difficult, but you've got to go out there and make it happen."

KERNEY ALSO INJURED: Defensive end Patrick Kerney aggravated a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter and did not return.

"I think he's going to be OK," Holmgren said.

Before leaving, Kerney was a force. He had a sack, two QB hurries, two passes defensed and also returned a fumble 50 yards to set up a field goal.

IN A RUSH: The Seahawks decided to come after 49ers quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan after sacking him eight times in the Week 2 game at Qwest Field.

In that game, the sacks generated no turnovers.

Sunday, they sacked him three times and also intercepted one of his passes, before the turnover-plagued QB was benched at the end of the first half.

"We just did some things as far as alignments to give us a better chance to rush the passer," Kerney said.

The wrinkles included line stunts and overloads to try to create mismatches for the 49ers blockers.

Pass-rushing linebacker Julian Peterson forced a fumble on a first-quarter sack, setting up Kerney's return. The interception was returned 75 yards by cornerback Josh Wilson for a touchdown. O'Sullivan also fumbled on another play, but it was recovered by 49ers guard David Baas.

"Everything kind of went our way today," Peterson said. "We did a good job of attacking and coming downhill."

Shaun Hill replaced O'Sullivan and the Seahawks also sacked him twice, giving them 13 of their 19 sacks in two games against the 49ers.

LIP SERVICE: Players talk to one another between plays all the time. But Sunday, something Seahawks free safety Brian Russell said to 49ers tight end Vernon Davis pushed his hot button.

Davis took a slap at Russell after making an 8-yard reception and was penalized 15 yards. The act prompted 49ers coach Mike Singletary to yank Davis from the game.

"I made a mistake, tapped the guy on his chin," Davis said. "I didn't mean anything by it."

Said Singletary, "It was something that I told everybody at the very beginning of the week: I will not tolerate players that think it's about them when it's about the team."

Offered Russell, "It was your normal back and forth that defensive players always go though. No special lines."

A TASTY TREAT: It's been a frustrating and disappointing season for the Seahawks. So any win is nice, even if it does come against a team that is in turmoil.

"It was a great win," Holmgren said. "I'm happy for the players. As hard as they work, they deserve a little ice cream."

HAWK TALK: The Seahawks converted 6 of 14 third-down situations, after converting on just 7 of 32 third downs in their past three games. ... Rookie tight end John Carlson had only one reception, but still leads the team with 20 catches. ... Running back T.J. Duckett scored his fourth touchdown, on a 1-yard run in the second quarter





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