ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Seahawks spent the offseason recommitting to their ground game. They had also hoped to throw the ball this season, but injuries at receiver might make that more difficult. Bobby Engram, Deion Branch and now Ben Obomanu are hurting.

Seattle could be forced to carry extra players at the position while Engram and Branch recuperate. I'm not sure how long Obomanu might be sidelined, but carrying him on the roster would force Seattle to cut back further at other positions.

I had previously thought Seattle might be able to keep 10 defensive linemen. That seems less likely now, but the 53-man cutdowns usually carry a surprise or two.

Here's a quick look at which Seattle players I might keep on the cutdown to 53 players:

Quarterbacks

• Projected keepers (3) -- Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace, Charlie Frye
• Projected to miss cut (1) -- Dalton Bell
• Key issue -- Will Hasselbeck's sore back hold up once he gets hit?

Running backs

• Projected keepers (5) -- Maurice Morris, Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett, Owen Schmitt, Leonard Weaver
• Projected to miss cut (2) -- Justin Forsett, David Kirtman
• Key issue -- Morris and Jones appear destined to split carries. Forsett might be able to help as a punt returner if could field the ball consistently and show good judgment.

Receivers

• Projected keepers (7) -- Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, Courtney Taylor, Jordan Kent, Logan Payne, Nate Burleson, Michael Bumpus
• Projected to miss cut (3) -- Ben Obomanu (depending on injury prognosis), Bryan Gilmore, Trent Shelton
• Key issue -- How quickly can Engram and Branch return to health? Can the Seahawks afford to carry Obomanu on the 53-man roster while his broken clavicle heals? Branch is the only receiver with PUP eligibility, but the Seahawks might need him sooner than the PUP rules would allow.

Tight ends

• Projected keepers (3) -- John Carlson, Will Heller, Jeb Putzier
• Projected to miss cut (1) -- Joe Newton
• Key issue -- Carlson has upgraded the position significantly. Putzier appeared to make it through the preseason relatively healthy. He's a threat in the passing game if injuries don't drag him down.
  

Offensive line

• Projected keepers (9) -- Walter Jones, Sean Locklear, Rob Sims, Chris Spencer, Steve Vallos, Mike Wahle, Ray Willis, Floyd Womack, Mansfield Wrotto
• Projected to miss cut (4) -- Ben Claxton, Nick Jones, Pat Murray, Kyle Williams
• Key issue -- Will Spencer's health hold up after he missed most of training camp? Will Locklear's knee let him play effectively in the opener? Williams looks like a candidate for the practice squad if he misses the cut.
  

Defensive line

• Projected keepers (9) -- Jason Babin, Rocky Bernard, Red Bryant, Howard Green, Lawrence Jackson, Patrick Kerney, Brandon Mebane, Darryl Tapp, Craig Terrill
• Projected to miss cut (5) -- Baraka Atkins, Kevin Brown, Chris Cooper, Nu'u Tafisi, Larry Tripplett
• Key issue -- The Seahawks might have to choose between Atkins and Babin. Both look like keepers from this angle, but Babin provides much more pass-rush ability. Keeping Babin makes the Michael Boulware trade look like a winner. Atkins was a fourth-round choice in 2007. He's stronger than Babin at the point.

Linebackers

• Projected keepers (6) -- Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson, Leroy Hill, David Hawthorne, Lance Laury, D.D. Lewis
• Projected to miss cut (1) -- Dallas Sartz
• Key issue -- Tatupu's bruised knee should not sideline him for the opener. Hawthorne looks like an upgrade at backup middle linebacker after the Seahawks let Niko Koutouvides leave in free agency. His value spikes if Hawthorne can become an effective player on special teams.

Defensive backs

• Projected keepers (8) -- Jordan Babineaux, Deon Grant, Kevin Hobbs, Kelly Jennings, Brian Russell, Marcus Trufant, C.J. Wallace, Josh Wilson
• Projected to miss cut (3) -- Jamar Adams, Marquis Floyd, Kelin Johnson
• Key issue -- The Seahawks might have to choose between Wallace and Adams if they can't find a way to keep nine defensive backs.

Specialists

• Projected keepers (3) -- Olindo Mare, Ryan Plackemeier, Jeff Robinson
• Projected to miss cut (0) -- Brandon Coutu, Reggie Hodges
• Key issue -- Who returns punts? Can Mare become more consistent on field goals?