Seahawks post bye-week win

The Seattle Seahawks got a huge win during this bye week. Injured receivers Deion Branch and Bobby Engram have been working with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck during practice, according to the AP.

Engram has been out all season with a broken shoulder and Branch has been rehabbing his knee since injuring it in last season’s playoff loss to Green Bay. No official word yet if they will suit up for next Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

It would be a gift from the football gods to deliver play makers next week in the form of Engram and Branch, especially Branch. Coming back from knee surgery like his often takes a couple years before a player is 100 percent. Engram might have a better shot at making a contribution right away.

Regardless, getting these guys back, even at less than 100 percent, is a significant upgrade from where they were last week. The Billy McMullen story is a nice one, and I’m happy that Koren Robinson seems to have grown up a little, but come on. This has been a total disaster.

Seattle’s running game flexed it muscles last week against a porous Rams defense. Julius Jones ran for 140 yards and a touchdown. T.J. Duckett scored twice on 79 yards rushing. But without a legitimate passing threat, the Hawks ground game will be jammed up by even an average defense.

Branch and Engram will join surprising rookie pass catcher tight end John Carlson who has gained Hasselbeck’s confidence early on. Perhaps out of necessity. Two weeks ago, Carlson hauled in 6 balls for 78 yards. He caught just two passes last week against the Rams for 38 yards.

If Branch and Engram are able to play against the Giants, it’ll be a nice little victory in a young season littered with disappointments.