Alexander Out With Injured Foot

From Seahawks.NET:

Alexander has played in 99 consecutive games. It has been apparent through the 2006 season that Alexander hadn't been playing at MVP-level - gaining only 187 yards on 65 carries for a 2.9 yards-per-carry average and two touchdowns. He had been suffering from minor foot injuries, decreasing his ability to cut back and limiting his speed, since the season opener in Detroit. The severity of the injury had been disclosed as a bone bruise before today, when the renewed injury was made public. Holmgren said that the bone bruise led to the crack in the bone, which is non-weight-bearing.

"I don't think it will be real lengthy," Holmgren said, when asked how long Alexander would be out of action. "Now, he just has to stay off of it and let it heal.

"We're looking at a few weeks, let's put it that way," the coach continued. "The good thing is, it's just a small, little crack -- if you want to talk about a good thing."

According to Holmgren, Alexander was walking around team headquarters on crutches Monday. The players were given the day off after their third straight win, a 42-30 victory over the New York Giants.

Maurice Morris will replace Alexander as the starting running in the meantime. Morris is in his 5th season with the Seahawks, drafted out of Oregon in the 2nd round of the 2002 draft (86th overall).

In his career, Morris has carried 193 times for 872 yards with a 4.5 yards-per-carry average. He's a nice change-up and complement to Alexander with a bit more outside elusiveness – think of a slightly less impactful Brian Westbrook to Alexander’s Terrell Davis. He's good out of the backfield as well. Look for Morris and FB Mack Strong to keep defenses somewhat honest during the weeks in which Alexander heals.

The Seahawks play the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field next Sunday. Their bye week is the week after that, and they will face the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on October 15th.