KIRKLAND, Wash. – Seattle didn't plan a flurry of defensive back signings the last two weeks but have been forced to plug an injury-plagued secondary.
The Seahawks will probably be without three of their top four cornerbacks Saturday against the Cowboys. Marcus Trufant is listed as doubtful after sitting out last week with a high ankle sprain. Kelly Herndon (ankle) and Jimmy Williams (knee) have been placed on injured reserve after getting hurt in the regular-season finale.
Seattle signed cornerback Rich Gardner last week. Former Cowboys cornerback Pete Hunter and John Howell, a safety, signed Tuesday.
How much action will the newcomers see against the Cowboys?
"Probably too much," Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said, smiling but not kidding.
Holmgren has reason for concern. Dallas' Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens are the only pair of 1,000-yard receivers on an NFC playoff team.
"It's not a great situation for them," Holmgren said of the recently signed defensive backs. "They're excited about the opportunity, but they're going against some fine players. We have no other alternatives."
Defensive coordinator John Marshall said Hunter, who played for the Cowboys from 2002-04, might start at left cornerback. Hunter had been working as a loan officer after being released by the Cleveland Browns in September.
"They're going to throw me in the fire, man," Hunter said. "I'm going to try to live up to the challenge. I guess they have a lot of faith in me."
Holmgren acknowledged that the Seahawks would have to be cautious with blitzes, because they don't want to cover Cowboys receivers man-to-man.
Marshall, however, said he doesn't expect to scale back his game plan to suit the new defensive backs. He said Hunter and Gardner, who spent two season with the Tennessee Titans, have displayed an understanding of the scheme during practice.
"We're not into protecting them," Marshall said. "We're going to play our scheme. Those guys are veterans and have been in the wars and proven themselves."
Offensive line in limbo: Seattle has had seven different combinations on the starting offensive line this season. The Seahawks might make it eight Saturday.
Guards Chris Gray (quadriceps) and Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack (groin) are listed as questionable. Neither practiced Wednesday, although Holmgren hoped they could practice today.
Center Robbie Tobeck (hip infection) has been cleared to play after missing the last eight games. But Tobeck, who lost 25 pounds, is still about 10 pounds under his playing weight of 297.
"The linemen will be game-time decisions," Holmgren said.
E-mail tmacmahon@dallasnews.com
