Notebook: James Williams might get promotion

KIRKLAND — The latest Seahawk likely to be inserted into the starting lineup because of the team's injuries is James Williams.

Williams is part of a receiving corps in need of depth. Darrell Jackson is out with a concussion. Alex Bannister is playing more tight end because the Seahawks have been missing Jerramy Stevens at that position due to injury, and recently signed Kevin Kasper is still learning the offense.

That leaves Williams, who was used as the third wideout in the offense last week and caught two passes.

Coach Mike Holmgren hasn't confirmed that Williams will start, but Williams worked out with the No. 1 offense in practice yesterday.

"I'm trying to stay calm and relaxed," Williams said. "I've been on the back burner for so long. This is my opportunity to go out and show what I can do for this team."

Bobby Engram, effective as the third receiver until Jackson went down, was held to one reception last week as the starter at Jackson's flanker position. Engram, who had 13 catches in the previous three games as the prime target on third down, is expected to be back in his reserve role this Sunday at Arizona, clearing the way for Williams to start.

"I think it may have a little, and we are adjusting that this week," Holmgren said, referring to the move to start Engram and how it took away from his effectiveness. "He (Engram) is very valuable in that role and he returns punts and all those things, and James Williams can play (flanker) in my opinion. So we are going to adjust that a little, so Bobby can do what he does best.''

Williams, in his third season from Marshall, started two games for the Seahawks last year. He has not started this season, and was inactive for the first three games.

Simmons still unavailable

Linebacker Anthony Simmons is questionable to play Sunday because of a high left ankle sprain, but he will most likely miss his eighth game of the season.

Simmons has been out of commission since early in the first game of the regular season, when he was injured trying to tackle Oakland's Tim Brown near the goal line. Simmons was expected to be out six weeks, but the rehabilitation has not gone as planned.

Simmons is left to wonder how something that seemed as minor as a sprained ankle could keep him out for half a season. He isn't sure when he will be totally healthy.

"It's hard to say because I've had my ups and downs,'' Simmons said. "I've had days when I thought I may have been about 90 percent, but then I go out and do some things, and then I'm down to 50 or 40 percent. It's really tricky. Right now, we're trying not to push it too much, give it a few days to heal and relax, and try to get back out there next week.''

No party for Boston

Arizona wide receiver David Boston, a Pro Bowl selection last season, will not play this weekend because of a torn knee tendon and could be out for the season.

Boston will get a second opinion but expects the diagnosis to be confirmed, which means surgery and a place on injured reserve.

"I was playing hurt the past couple of weeks and it got to the point where my knee was hurting too bad," Boston said.

Rookie Jason McAddley is expected to start in place of Boston. The Cardinals are already without fourth-year wide receiver MarTay Jenkins, who has a fractured shoulder blade and is out for the season.

Note

TE Stevens, CB Shawn Springs and FB Mack Strong did not practice because of injuries. LB Tim Terry and FS Marcus Robertson, who suffered concussions last weekend, practiced in red cautionary jerseys.