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Michael Robinson's expected re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks would give the team a league-high four re-signings in the unrestricted free-agent market.

Red Bryant, Paul McQuistan and Heath Farwell previously re-signed.

Seattle and the other NFC West teams have added only two UFAs from other teams, however. I've put together UFA scorecards for each team in the division. Ages are in parenthesis. Here goes ...

Seattle Seahawks

UFA unsigned (age): defensive end Raheem Brock (33), defensive lineman Jimmy Wilkerson (31), safety Atari Bigby (30), quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (29), linebacker Leroy Hill (29), linebacker Matt McCoy (29), defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (28), linebacker David Hawthorne (26), running back Justin Forsett (26), linebacker David Vobora (25)

UFA re-signed: Farwell (30), Robinson (29), McQuistan (28), Bryant (27)

UFA added: none

UFA lost: tight end John Carlson (27)

Franchise player: none

Comment: Forsett has provided value, but the Seahawks will want to add a power back as depth behind Marshawn Lynch, who re-signed before free agency. Mike Tolbert, a free agent from the San Diego Chargers, could be worth a look if the running back market remains soft. Tolbert weighs 243 pounds, has 21 total touchdowns over the past two seasons, and caught 54 passes in 2012. The price would have to be right after Seattle committed to Lynch.

San Francisco 49ers

UFA unsigned: fullback Moran Norris (33), tight end Justin Peelle (33), safety Madieu Williams (30), quarterback Alex Smith (27), receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (26), guard Chilo Rachal (26), safety Reggie Smith (25)

UFA re-signed: cornerback Carlos Rogers (30), linebacker Tavares Gooden (27)

UFA added: none

UFA lost: guard Adam Snyder (30), linebacker Blake Costanzo (27), receiver Josh Morgan (26)

Franchise player: safety Dashon Goldson (27)

Comment: Randy Moss and potential addition Rock Cartwright do not appear in the listings because they were not unrestricted free agents. Re-signing Alex Smith and finding additional receiver help appear to be the top priorities. The 49ers are showing little outward urgency on either front, however.

Arizona Cardinals

UFA unsigned: defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday (36), kicker Jay Feely (35), long-snapper Mike Leach (35), outside linebacker Clark Haggans (35), outside linebacker Joey Porter (34), offensive lineman Floyd Womack (33), punter Dave Zastudil (33), tackle D'Anthony Batiste (29), safety Sean Considine (29), guard Deuce Lutui (28), safety Hamza Abdullah (28), tackle Brandon Keith (27), receiver Early Doucet (26)

UFA re-signed: none.

UFA added: Snyder (30)

UFA lost: cornerback Richard Marshall (27)

Franchise player: defensive end Calais Campbell (25)

Comment: The Cardinals have been in a tough spot. They would have faced criticism had they declined to pursue Peyton Manning. They could now face criticism for sacrificing the first week of free agency while waiting for Manning. The reality is that Arizona probably wasn't going to be all that aggressive in the market this offseason, anyway. It did hurt losing Marshall to the Miami Dolphins after coordinator Ray Horton called him the Cardinals' defensive MVP.

St. Louis Rams

UFA unsigned: cornerback Al Harris (37), quarterback A.J. Feeley (34), offensive lineman Tony Wragge (32), linebacker Brady Poppinga (32), punter Donnie Jones (31), offensive lineman Adam Goldberg (31), guard Jacob Bell (31), receiver Brandon Lloyd (30), cornerback Rod Hood (30), running back Cadillac Williams (29), defensive tackle Gary Gibson (29), receiver Mark Clayton (29), tackle Mark LeVoir (29), tight end Stephen Spach (29), safety James Butler (29), tight end Billy Bajema (29), quarterback Kellen Clemens (28), running back Jerious Norwood (28), linebacker Bryan Kehl (27), linebacker Chris Chamberlain (26), cornerback Justin King (24)

UFA re-signed: none

UFA added: cornerback Cortland Finnegan (28)

UFA lost: none

Franchise player: none

Comment: The Rams are not looking to re-sign many of their own free agents. They want to turn over the roster, and that is happening in a big way. The team's failure to secure playmaking help for quarterback Sam Bradford stands out as the biggest theme to this point. Finnegan was a welcome addition, but he isn't going to score many touchdowns.

The chart below shows a general overview.

» AFC Free-Agency Primer: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South

Free agency begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET

Arizona Cardinals

Key free agents: DE Calais Campbell (franchise tag), CB Richard Marshall, OLB Clark Haggans, WR Early Doucet, T Brandon Keith, G Deuce Lutui, K Jay Feely.

Where they stand: A strong finish to the 2011 season on defense gives the Cardinals a glass-half-full feel heading into free agency. Going from 1-6 to 8-8 was an impressive achievement. Arizona does have serious concerns on its offensive line. The situation at tackle is particularly questionable even if Levi Brown returns (and maybe especially if he returns, depending on your view). The line concerns might actually dissipate some if the team lands Peyton Manning, a quarterback with the ability to beat pressure with quick throws. But tackle is still an area that needs addressing for the long term. Injuries throughout the offensive backfield raise questions about that area as well. Kevin Kolb (concussion), Beanie Wells (knee), Ryan Williams (knee) and Anthony Sherman (ankle) missed extensive time or played at a diminished level for stretches.

What to expect: The Cardinals are one of the teams chasing Manning. That pursuit could consume them for the short term. Landing Manning would signal the end for Kolb in Arizona. The Cardinals have until March 17 to exercise a $7 million option on Kolb, the quarterback they acquired from Philadelphia for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a fat contract. I'm expecting a resolution to Manning's situation before the Kolb bonus comes due simply because interest in Manning should be high enough to accelerate the process. The Cardinals had about $3 million in salary-cap space entering the week, according to ESPN's John Clayton. That figure could increase substantially once the team releases Brown or reworks his contract. Arizona still has strong coaching ties to Pittsburgh on both sides of the ball, but it's an upset if the Cardinals seriously pursue any of the aging veterans recently released by the Steelers. Developing young talent is the priority now. Re-signing Marshall, who fared well at corner, should be a priority. Does free-agent linebacker Stewart Bradley still factor prominently into the team's plans, particularly at such a high price?

St. Louis Rams

Key free agents: WR Brandon Lloyd, G Jacob Bell, CB Justin King, OL Adam Goldberg, LB Chris Chamberlain, G Tony Wragge, TE Billy Bajema, WR Mark Clayton, DT Gary Gibson, P Donnie Jones.

Where they stand: The Rams have no interest in staying the course from a personnel standpoint after going 15-65 over the past five seasons. They will seek fresh talent almost across the board as Jeff Fisher's new coaching staff seeks players for its schemes. The Rams are seeking playmakers in particular, starting at wide receiver. The offensive line needs addressing, although the Rams might try to minimize the turnover at offensive tackle for the short term, figuring they cannot afford to create new needs. But former starting center Jason Brown, benched last season, appears unlikely to return. The team also needs two starting outside linebackers, starting defensive tackles and perhaps two starting cornerbacks on defense.

What to expect: Mass roster turnover. I could see the team retaining as few as one or two players from its list of 21 projected unrestricted free agents. The Rams have a disproportionate amount of their salary cap tied up in recent high draft choices Sam Bradford, Chris Long and Jason Smith. The rookie wage scale will provide them cap relief even if the team remains among the teams picking very high in the 2012 draft. Bradford and Long are cornerstones. Smith could stick around at a reduced rate. The team still has hope for him under new offensive line coach Paul Boudreau. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan and defensive lineman Jason Jones, both free agents from Tennessee, have ties to Fisher and could make sense for the Rams. Despite the need for playmakers on offense, the Rams did not use the franchise tag on Lloyd, their most talented receiver. Questions persist about how effective Lloyd might be outside Josh McDaniels' offense.

San Francisco 49ers

Key free agents: QB Alex Smith, CB Carlos Rogers, FS Dashon Goldson (franchise tag), G Adam Snyder, WR Ted Ginn Jr., WR Josh Morgan, G Chilo Rachal, FB Moran Norris, LB Blake Costanzo.

Where they stand: Coach Jim Harbaugh has said it's a bit unsettling heading through the offseason with his starting quarterback unsigned. Smith and the 49ers are expected to reach agreement eventually. This relationship will almost certainly continue even if Smith does reach free agency without a deal in place. Smith would not fit nearly as well anywhere else. Harbaugh likes to use the word "equity" when describing players he wants to keep. The 49ers would rather bring back Smith than invite the disruption that Manning would bring, were they able to land him. The team needs help at wide receiver and possibly cornerback, depending upon what happens with Rogers. Getting Goldson at the relatively reasonable franchise rate ($6.2 million) was a plus for the 49ers' continuity in the secondary.

What to expect: Not a whole lot, most likely. The 49ers were a good team last season after taking a low-keyed approach to the free-agent market. They will presumably show interest in Vincent Jackson, Mike Wallace and any high-profile, productive receiver with the talent to upgrade their offense. It's a small upset if the 49ers land one of them, however, because their philosophy is built on a measured approach resistant to overpaying. They will have to address the receiver position in free agency one way or another, however. Re-signing Morgan would help. Pierre Garcon, Marques Colston, Mario Manningham, Plaxico Burress and Robert Meachem are among the other options in free agency. An upgrade at right guard would help the line, but the 49ers might be apt to develop 2011 draft choice Daniel Kilgore after investing first-round choices in their left tackle (Joe Staley), left guard (Mike Iupati) and right tackle (Anthony Davis).

Seattle Seahawks

Key free agents: DE Red Bryant, LB David Hawthorne, LB Leroy Hill, OL Paul McQuistan, DE Raheem Brock, DL Tony Hargrove, FB Michael Robinson, RB Justin Forsett, QB Charlie Whitehurst, LB Matt McCoy, TE John Carlson, LB Heath Farwell.

Where they stand: The Seahawks' long-term quarterback situation hangs over them as they head toward the 2012 draft with only the 12th overall choice. The team has built up the rest of its roster to a point where sticking with Tarvaris Jackson as the primary starter could hold back the team to a degree it did not through much of last season. Upgrading the pass rush is another priority for the Seahawks. With defensive end Raheem Brock publicly stumping for Seattle to land Manning, his former teammate, I couldn't help but wonder which one of them had a better shot at earning a roster spot with the team in 2012. It might be Manning, even if the Seahawks are relative long shots for his services. Brock failed to provide the pass-rush push Seattle needed opposite Chris Clemons. Linebacker is another position the Seahawks need to address, whether or not Hawthorne and Hill return.

What to expect: The Seahawks have roughly $30 million in cap space, according to Clayton, and will make every effort to land Manning. They feel they've got a shot as long as they can persuade him to get on a plane and check out what they have to offer in terms of the roster, coaching, facilities, ownership and more. If Manning goes elsewhere, I would expect the Seahawks to consider Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn. Securing him at a price lower than what Arizona paid for Kolb would be the goal. As badly as the Seahawks want to upgrade the position, they have said they will not panic. Overpaying for Flynn could represent panic in their eyes. On the pass-rush front, I'm increasingly skeptical the team will shell out for Mario Williams. The price could be too high for a player Houston has decided to let hit the market. Re-signing Bryant is a priority, but using the franchise tag for him was never an option given the $10.6 million price. A deal slightly north of the one teammate Brandon Mebane signed seems likelier if Bryant returns.

Five of the San Francisco 49ers' projected unrestricted free agents for 2012 played right around 1,000 snaps or more last season, easily the highest figure in the NFC West.

Re-signing quarterback Alex Smith appears likely. Smith accepted the Associated Press' coach of the year award on Jim Harbaugh's behalf Saturday, the latest indication Smith remains firmly in the fold.

Cornerback Carlos Rogers has said he wants to return. His value spiked after earning a trip to the Pro Bowl. The franchise tag remains available, but the price would be lower if San Francisco used it for free safety Dashon Goldson instead. Either way, the 49ers have decisions to make in their secondary.

The charts below expand upon Brian McIntyre's lists. I've added offensive and defensive snap counts from ESPN Stats & Information. The final column shows what players earned per year on their most recent contracts.

Some players, notably Blake Costanzo and C.J. Spillman, played extensively on special teams. The charts show offensive and defensive snap counts only.

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The second chart shows restricted free agents. Teams can retain rights to RFAs by making one-year qualifying offers.

The timing of Braylon Edwards' release from the San Francisco 49ers makes more sense when factoring for his injuries, playing time and the team's potential need for a roster spot.

There still could be more to the story, as ESPN's John Clayton suggests in the accompanying video. There were indications Edwards wasn't fitting well with the 49ers, and there was certainly a gap between his name recognition and his actual value on the field this season.

The chart at right, provided by Jason Starrett of ESPN Stats & Information, shows what percentage of offensive snaps Edwards had played in games for which he was active.

Those percentages peaked at midseason, but they were generally in retreat more recently. That was the case even against Seattle in Week 16, when the 49ers were without one receiver (Ted Ginn Jr.), lost another receiver (Kyle Williams) and lost tight end Delanie Walker to a broken jaw.

The 49ers are holding out hope Walker can return while the playoffs are ongoing. As a result, they have not placed him on injured reserve. Releasing Edwards buys flexibility to sign another player, possibly a tight end. Vernon Davis and Justin Peelle are the remaining healthy tight ends on the roster. Konrad Reuland is on the practice squad.

San Francisco generally prefers using a second tight end over a third wide receiver, particularly on early downs. That tack gives coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman flexibility in the running game -- flexibility the team has put to good use.

"They're not a typical running football team in that they have a lot more scheme involved than other teams," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "Their commitment to it and the variety of runs that they throw at you are different than other guys and they have more. They're looking for the right plays that fit that day as they go through their call sheet and all. They are just more challenging than some other teams scheme-wise."

That is high praise from an opponent and consistent with what we discussed on the blog in January. The 49ers will presumably continue favoring heavier personnel even without Walker. Releasing Edwards suggests they're not planning to become more receiver-oriented in the immediate future. The team is presently on pace have as many rushing attempts as pass plays (attempts plus sacks) for the first time since 1997.

Tight end Delanie Walker's modest statistics could easily fool one into thinking the San Francisco 49ers could function the same without him.

In truth, the 49ers cannot play offense the same way if the jaw injury Walker suffered during a 19-17 victory at Seattle sidelines him.

Walker's unusual speed for the position and improved blocking gave the 49ers great versatility when using him with Vernon Davis in their two-tight end packages. Before Saturday, the 49ers had gained 2,407 of their 4,304 yards -- 56 percent -- with two tight ends on the field. That included 1,031 of their 1,616 yards rushing (63.8 percent). Walker had played 58.7 percent of the offensive snaps, including 40.4 percent on third down, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Teams facing the 49ers could not treat San Francisco's double-tight personnel groupings the way they would treat most others thoughout the league. They had to account for both players as receiving threats. Walker has 19 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown catch against Detroit in Week 6.

The 49ers already lost their best blocking tight end, Nate Byham, to a season-ending knee injury in training camp. They have 10-year veteran Justin Peelle to take some of the snaps that Walker would have taken. But they do not have a true replacement for Walker.

The 49ers might also consider using three wide receivers more frequently, but they have injury concerns at that position as well. Josh Morgan is out for the season, Ted Ginn Jr. is dealing with an ankle injury and veteran Braylon Edwards has battled through knee and shoulder problems. Ginn's replacement, Kyle Williams, suffered a concussion Sunday.

Going to a three-wideout offense would also depart from coach Jim Harbaugh's preference for heavier personnel groupings. Before Saturday, the 49ers had used three or more wideouts a league-low 81 times on first and second down. That included only three such plays in first quarters, 44 fewer than the average for the other 31 teams. Singling out first quarters can sometimes help determine a team's true intentions. Score differentials come into play later in games, leading teams to change how they use their personnel.

A best-case scenario for the 49ers would go like this: Atlanta upsets New Orleans on Monday night, clinching the NFC's No. 2 seed and a first-round bye for San Francisco. The 49ers could then play starters sparingly against St. Louis in Week 17. They would have roughly three weeks of practice, counting this week, to make whatever tweaks might be necessary should Walker remain out. The extra time would represent a second training camp, in effect. The best-case scenario would also include Walker healing for the playoffs.

Harbaugh and the 49ers have done an outstanding job overcoming difficult obstacles. They've gone 12-3 after changing over the coaching staff and getting very little time to install their schemes, thanks to the lockout. They have overcome fourth-quarter deficits to win five times this season, including four on the road. It's not like Walker is the most valuable player on the team. He's just a lot more valuable than his stats would indicate.

The chart shows playing time for the 49ers' offensive skill players by down heading into the team's game against Seattle, according to ESPN Stats & Information..
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SAN FRANCISCO -- Picture-perfect California weather only marginally improved the St. Louis Rams' view from the visitor's sideline at Candlestick Park.

The Rams watched backup quarterbacks A.J. Feeley and Tom Brandstater warm up, but there was no sign of starter Sam Bradford. The more time passed, the clearer it became Bradford would not play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

Bradford, slowed by an ankle injury, was among the players St. Louis declared inactive 90 minutes before the 4:15 p.m. ET kickoff. Feeley, 1-1 as a starter for the Rams this season, will start against San Francisco. The Rams also declared safety Darian Stewart, running back Cadillac Williams, linebacker Josh Hull, guard Kevin Hughes, tackle Mark LeVoir and defensive end C.J. Ah You inactive.

The 49ers' list featured quarterback Scott Tolzien, receiver Braylon Edwards, cornerback Shawntae Spencer, fullback Moran Norris, guard Daniel Kilgore, guard Mike Person and nose tackle Ian Williams.

Bradford missed practice during the week after aggravating the high-ankle sprain he suffered this season. There was no sense risking his physical well-being behind an offensive line playing without both starting tackles, in my view.

Arizona: Quarterback Kevin Kolb appears close to returning from the toe and foot injuries that have sidelined him since Oct. 30. He estimated taking more than a third of the reps in practice Wednesday. All signs point to a likely return for Kolb against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, but he'll need to continue practicing to work through some of the rust. Tight ends Todd Heap and Rob Housler were limited, as was running back Beanie Wells. Injuries at quarterback, running back and tight end will affect any offense. Wells' knee hasn't let him carry a full load, costly for the Cardinals after the team traded Tim Hightower and lost Ryan Williams to injured reserve.

St. Louis: The Rams are severely limited at offensive tackle and cornerback. Those are tough areas to be so shorthanded against Arizona. Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell is an imminent threat to the Rams' offensive line after St. Louis lost both starting tackles and its backup left tackle. Larry Fitzgerald obviously faces favorable matchups against the Rams' secondary now that St. Louis has placed 10 cornerbacks on injured reserve. The Rams practiced without their defensive leader Wednesday — middle linebacker James Laurinaitis has a foot injury. Losing him would prove devastating. The situation at tight end is also limiting the Rams. Mike Hoomanawanui is out for the season. Promising rookie tight end Lance Kendricks suffered a concussion against Seattle and was limited Wednesday.

San Francisco: Receiver Michael Crabtree (foot), cornerback Chris Culliver (shoulder), tackle Anthony Davis (ankle), receiver Braylon Edwards (knee) and running back Frank Gore (knee) were limited in practice Wednesday and listed as probable for Thursday. The team does not expect to have fullback Bruce Miller (concussion) for its game at Baltimore. The 49ers' relative strength and versatility at tight end affords them flexibility in dealing with injuries at fullback and wide receiver. The team doesn't need to lean heavily on three-receiver groupings because tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker are good receivers. Veteran fullback Moran Norris could return this week. The 49ers also use nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga as a fullback in certain situations.

Seattle: The biggest concern, in my view, centers around whether quarterback Tarvaris Jackson can remain in the lineup for the remainder of the season as he plays through a pectoral injury. Jackson was limited Wednesday. He's facing a Redskins defense featuring strong outside rushers in Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo. Defensive tackle Alan Branch (ankle), cornerback Byron Maxwell (ankle), receiver Ben Obomanu (knee/ankle) and receiver Sidney Rice (knee) did not practice. The Seahawks have sufficient depth at all those players' positions and most of those players are expected to be available Sunday.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Thoughts on the San Francisco 49ers' victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Candlestick Park in Week 11:

What it means: The 49ers can clinch the NFC West title with a victory at Baltimore and a Seattle loss to Washington. They improved to 9-1 while securing their first winning season since 2002. They have won eight in a row, the fourth-longest streak since 1970 for a team with a rookie head coach. This was an ugly victory, particularly for the 49ers' offense. That's not a bad thing entirely, however. Coach Jim Harbaugh will suffer no shortage of coaching points heading into a much-anticipated game at Baltimore. The Cardinals were worse on offense, making it easier politically for them to transition back to Kevin Kolb at quarterback, provided Kolb's foot and toe injuries heal enough for him to practice this week.

What I liked: The 49ers continued to win with field position and turnovers. Receiver Michael Crabtree played a strong game, breaking tackles and picking up yards after the catch. The 49ers' yards after the catch have plummeted overall this season. Crabtree's average YAC had fallen from 5.4 last season to 3.9 through Week 10 this season. He pumped up those numbers Sunday and won his matchups against the Cardinals' Patrick Peterson.

Another 49ers receiver, Kyle Williams, also enjoyed a strong game. Williams showed sure hands making catches away from his body. He also caught a scoring pass. The 49ers played suffocating defense, allowing their offense and special teams a fat margin for error. Patrick Willis, Donte Whitner and Dashon Goldson picked off passes. The offense kept plugging away and finally got going. Frank Gore's knee was healthy enough for him to start and play effectively.

For the Cardinals, linebacker Stewart Bradley made a couple jarring tackles on special teams, including a memorable one against 49ers punt returner Ted Ginn Jr. Calais Campbell blocked a field goal for the fifth time in his career. The Cardinals' defense played well enough early to keep Arizona close.

What I didn't like: Skelton played his worst game of the season, serving up turnovers with inexplicable throws. He completed 6 of 19 passes for 99 yards, no touchdowns and a 10.5 NFL passer rating. This might have been the worst performance by an NFC West quarterback this season, worse even than Charlie Whitehurst's game for Seattle at Cleveland. On defense, Peterson had issues in coverage, starting poorly when he slipped on the wet grass, allowing a big gain for Crabtree. For the 49ers, quarterback Alex Smith was off-target and off-speed early in the game. Braylon Edwards dropped a couple of passes early. Then, when Edwards was open in the end zone, Smith threw too high and too hard for him. Smith also missed a wide-open Crabtree in the end zone, again throwing too hard. The 49ers' usually strong special teams faltered repeatedly. David Akers missed two field goal tries and had two more blocked, one by Campbell and one by Peterson. The 49ers incurred multiple penalties during returns.

Costly skirmish: Referee Peter Morelli ejected Goldson in the fourth quarter after Goldson threw punches at Cardinals receiver Early Doucet. Doucet had come over to Goldson while Goldson was down, hitting him in the head. The 49ers will now wait to see whether the NFL suspends Goldson for their Thursday night game at Baltimore. If that happens, the 49ers will presumably keep Madieu Williams active. Williams was named inactive Sunday. The 49ers kept Shawntae Spencer active instead.

Block party: The Cardinals blocked two field goal tries in the same game for the first time since a Sept. 17, 1972, game against the Baltimore Colts. They became the first team since Seattle on Oct. 23 to block more than one in an NFL game.

Empty at fullback: The 49ers lost fullback Bruce Miller to a head injury. Their other fullback, Moran Norris, has been sidelined with a leg injury. It's unclear whether San Francisco will have either player on a short week.

Upon further review: Harbaugh keeps challenging plays whether or not they are reviewable under the rules. After officials denied one request for review, Harbaugh successfully challenged whether Beanie Wells had fumbled. The 49ers took over possession and kicked a field goal for a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. That was Harbaugh's third successful challenge in eight coach-initiated reviews this season. Later, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt lost a challenge when he thought Smith's pass traveled backward. Whisenhunt has challenged seven plays this season, succeeding on four of them.

What's next: The 49ers visit Baltimore for a Thursday night game against the Ravens. The Cardinals visit St. Louis.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The New York Giants' list of inactive players carried quite a bit of interest for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10.

Receivers Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks are both active despite injuries. How well they hold up will be the next big question. The 49ers' secondary has been a hard-hitting group this season. Their secondary has also been vulnerable, at times, against the best quarterbacks it has faced, notably Tony Romo and Michael Vick.

The Giants will be without running back Ahmad Bradshaw, as expected. Their full list of inactive players Sunday: receiver Jerrell Jernigan, cornerback Prince Amukamara, Bradshaw, fullback Henry Hynoski, guard Mitch Petrus, defensive tackle Dwayne Hendricks and tackle James Brewer.

The 49ers' list carried little suspense. Defensive end Ray McDonald is active, though it's unclear whether he'll start after missing Week 9 with a hamstring injury. Quarterback Scott Tolzien, cornerback Shawntae Spencer, offensive lineman Mike Person, offensive lineman Daniel Kilgore, fullback Moran Norris, receiver Brett Swain and nose tackle Ian Williams are inactive.

Arizona: Beanie Wells missed practice Wednesday and will have to fight through a knee injury if he does play against Baltimore in Week 8. The fact that the Cardinals initially thought Wells suffered a season-ending injury makes returning only one week later seem like a long shot. The Cardinals have not set a timetable for Wells' return. Whether Wells practices Thursday and Friday should tell us plenty about whether the third-year running back plays Sunday. The Cardinals are a much more physical team in the running game when Wells is available. The Ravens rank among the NFL's top three in rushing yards allowed overall and per carry. Tight end Todd Heap's availability is also in question. A hamstring injury continues to slow him. The Cardinals have better depth at the position this season, though. Wells is the key variable.

St. Louis: Sam Bradford continues to miss practice with a high-ankle sprain, preventing the Rams from making fuller use of new receiver Brandon Lloyd, in my view. I see no reason for the Rams to rush Bradford back onto the field against a New Orleans team known for taking shots at opposing quarterbacks, including their ankles. The assumption here is that Bradford must practice by week's end to have a shot at playing. The Rams have yet to activate receiver Mark Clayton and cornerback Marquis Johnson from the physically unable to perform list. The need is greater at corner than receiver. The Rams, already without their top three corners for the remainder of the season, lost corner Justin King to a groin injury last week. His status remains unclear. Right tackle Jason Smith could be out indefinitely after suffering neck and head injuries at Dallas. Left tackle Rodger Saffold missed practice with an illness Wednesday.

San Francisco: The 49ers are expected to welcome back receiver Braylon Edwards from knee surgery. The timing is perfect for Edwards because the 49ers are facing the Cleveland Browns, who drafted him third overall. Coach Jim Harbaugh suggested his injury-related optimism earlier in the week might have been premature. You can bet Edwards has been pointing toward this game for his return, however. Fullback Moran Norris isn't expected to return. His replacement, Bruce Miller, has shown improvement. The 49ers have used only one back half the time on first and second down to this point in the season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. They're obviously comfortable using two tight ends with two wide receivers, diminishing the need for a fullback. They're fine without Norris, in other words. Parys Haralson's expected return from a hamstring injury comes as rookie Aldon Smith is stepping up his game, anyway. How many snaps those players get will be a storyline for the remainder of the season. Smith, it seems, needs to play. Right guard Adam Snyder is expected back from a stinger. The 49ers' ground game has been better since Snyder took over as the starter.

Seattle: The Seahawks should get center Max Unger, running back Marshawn Lynch and/or tight end Zach Miller back from injuries this week. All were limited Wednesday, and coach Pete Carroll said decisions would not be made until later in the week. Seattle needs Lynch because the team doesn't have another big back for its offense. Backups Leon Washington and Justin Forsett are too similar to provide the differentiation Carroll values. Miller's absence played a leading role in the team's defeat at Cleveland, I thought. Backup Anthony McCoy suffered through a rough game. The Seahawks need him back. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is the other big question mark for Seattle this week. His pectoral injury hasn't prevented him from throwing, but he remains limited. It's too early to say whether he's likely to play this week. I would expect a better effort from backup Charlie Whitehurst this week, should he play.

The first time the Baltimore Ravens lost to an AFC South team (Tennessee) this season, they defeated an NFC West team (St. Louis) by 30 points the following week.

They lost to another AFC South team (Jacksonville) Monday night. They'll be looking to get right against another NFC West team (Arizona).

This was going to be a tough enough matchup on the road for the Cardinals without giving the Ravens reason to redouble their efforts following a brutal defeat. Baltimore will be looking to avoid consecutive defeats against teams that had lost their last five games.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals will head to Baltimore amid questions over Beanie Wells' availability. Somers: "If Wells can't play on Sunday in Baltimore, Alfonso Smith is likely to start, but LaRod Stephens-Howling and Chester Taylor likely would play there, too."

Also from Somers: The Cardinals haven't been making opponents pay for their mistakes. Somers: "Of all the corrections that need to be made, the most important is fixing what's wrong with Kevin Kolb. His passing statistics Sunday weren't awful - 18 of 34 for 272 yards, a touchdown and an interception - but they don't tell the entire story. Kolb badly missed two open receivers, Housler and Larry Fitzgerald, and because of the protection scheme called, it was his job to realize pressure was coming on the play that resulted in a safety. He looks uncomfortable in the pocket and has been inaccurate when he's on the move. On Monday, Whisenhunt reiterated that personnel changes are being contemplated throughout the lineup, but the coach appears more focused on fixing Kolb than replacing him." Noted: The Cardinals cannot realistically bench a quarterback they signed to a five-year, $63 million contract. They need to develop Kolb.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says offensive coordinator Mike Miller relocated to the sideline for the Pittsburgh game in an effort to improve communication with Kolb in particular.

Jeff Gordon of stltoday.com says the Rams should hire a strong leader to run their organization, perhaps the way the Cleveland Browns have done with Mike Holmgren. Gordon: "The current leaders, Kevin Demoff, Billy Devaney and Spagnuolo, are all bright guys with varying degrees of previous success in lesser roles. They are stand-up men. They don’t make excuses or hide from their critics. They are trying to do the right things. Maybe they could all succeed if they worked for a strong leader capable of creating a new organizational culture. Or maybe each fills a role they can’t quite handle. A strong new leader could make that assessment, just as John Davidson made critical assessments as the hockey CEO with the Blues. Step by step, he turned the NHL’s worst team into a playoff contender with a bright future and solid resale value." Noted: I'd be surprised if owner Stan Kroenke didn't make some sort of structural change if the season continues on its current course.

Also from Gordon: A Rams report card with failing grades.

Kathleen Nelson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams' Jason Smith will consult a spine specialist following his injury Sunday.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says the 49ers expect to have Braylon Edwards back on the practice field Tuesday. Maiocco: "Jim Harbaugh said he also hopes to see fullback Moran Norris (fibula), outside linebacker Parys Haralson (hamstring), right guard Adam Snyder (shoulder) and cornerback Tramaine Brock (hand) healthy enough to practice Tuesday." Noted: While every other NFC West team suffered a potentially significant injury to a starter in Week 7, the idle 49ers got healthier in key spots, notably wide receiver. Arizona lost Wells. Seattle lost starting corner Walter Thurmond. The Rams lost right tackle Jason Smith and possibly cornerback Justin King.

Also from Maiocco: Joe Staley and Mike Iupati are working together more efficiently.

More from Maiocco: Tarell Brown has exceeded expectations for the 49ers at cornerback.

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News checks in with 49ers president Jed York, who tempers his excitement over the team's 5-1 start by noting it's still early in the season.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News explains why 49ers general manager Trent Baalke did not watch NFC West games over the weekend.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times offers thoughts on the Seahawks' 6-3 defeat to Cleveland, contending that it's now clear Charlie Whitehurst is nothing more than a backup. O'Neil: "Remember last year when there was a camp of fans adamant Whitehurst would be an improvement on Matt Hasselbeck. Then Whitehurst started a Week 9 game against the New York Giants, a game the Seahawks lost 41-7. Remember three weeks ago when there was a camp of fans adamant Whitehurst would be an improvement over Tarvaris Jackson? Well, Whitehurst started Sunday in Cleveland, completed 12 passes, just four of them to wide receivers and only one for more than 11 yards. The Seahawks have scored a total of 26 points in his three regular-season starts." Noted: I see no evidence to dispute the contention. At the same time, are three starts enough to make such a determination? The Seahawks also scored 26 points in Matt Hasselbeck's first three starts. Hasselbeck had no touchdown passes and three interceptions in those games. Fans chanted for his backup during the second of those three starts (the first at home). I'll break out something on this separately.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com updates injuries and other developments for the Seahawks.

NFC West teams went 0-3 last season against the teams they face in Week 5.

They lost those games by a combined 99-31 score.

Much has changed since then. Let's take a look:

Cardinals at Vikings

Score last season: Vikings 27, Cardinals 24 (OT)

Key play: Brett Favre's 25-yard touchdown pass to tight end Visanthe Shiancoe in the final minute of regulation tied the game, forcing overtime after the Cardinals had built a 24-10 fourth-quarter lead. Favre threw for a career-high 446 yards in the game.

Biggest change: Both teams have new quarterbacks, Kevin Kolb for Derek Anderson in Arizona, and Donovan McNabb for Favre in Minnesota. Also, the Vikings have a new head coach (Leslie Frazier) while the Cardinals have a new defensive coordinator (Ray Horton).

Storyline: McNabb keeps a home in Arizona and was available to the Cardinals when their quarterback situation was in flux, but the team showed no interest in him. He is now trying to hold off a change to rookie Christian Ponder.

Lineup changes for Arizona (12): Beanie Wells for Tim Hightower at running back, Kolb for Anderson at quarterback, Daryn Colledge for Alan Faneca at left guard, Rex Hadnot for Deuce Lutui at right guard, Todd Heap for Ben Patrick at tight end, Andre Roberts for Steve Breaston at receiver, Anthony Sherman for Reagan Maui'a at fullback (although the team opened its 2010 game at Minnesota without a fullback), Dan Williams for Bryan Robinson at nose tackle, Daryl Washington for Gerald Hayes at linebacker, Clark Haggans for Will Davis at linebacker, A.J. Jefferson for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at cornerback, Patrick Peterson for Greg Toler at cornerback.

49ers vs. Buccaneers

Score last season: Buccaneers 21, 49ers 0

Key play: Josh Freeman's 1-yard scoring pass to tackle Donald Penn midway through the fourth quarter put an exclamation point on the 49ers' first home shutout since 1977.

Biggest change: Jim Harbaugh has replaced Mike Singletary as the 49ers' head coach.

Storyline: Alex Smith gets a shot at Tampa Bay after watching Troy Smith struggle against the Bucs as the 49ers' starting quarterback last season. Troy Smith's approach centered around striking for big plays. The Bucs took away the big plays. Alex Smith gives the 49ers a chance to be more efficient.

Lineup changes for San Francisco (12): Alex Smith for Troy Smith at quarterback, Joe Staley for Barry Sims at left tackle, Adam Snyder for Chilo Rachal at right guard, Bruce Miller for Moran Norris at fullback, Isaac Sopoaga for Aubrayo Franklin at nose tackle, Ray McDonald for Sopoaga at defensive end, Ahmad Brooks for Manny Lawson at outside linebacker, NaVorro Bowman for Takeo Spikes at inside linebacker, Carlos Rogers for Nate Clements at cornerback, Tarell Brown for Shawntae Spencer at cornerback, Donte Whitner for Reggie Smith at strong safety.

Seahawks at Giants

Score last season: Giants 41, Seahawks 7

Key play: With Seattle already down 14-0 in the first quarter, the Giants returned Leon Washington's fumbled kickoff return to the Seattle 4, setting up Ahmad Bradshaw's touchdown run on the next play.

Biggest change: Tarvaris Jackson is the starting quarterback for Seattle. Charlie Whitehurst was a fill-in starter for Matt Hasselbeck when the teams played last season.

Storyline: The Seahawks' so-far-unproductive ground game faces a Giants run defense that has struggled. Seattle's young line improved in pass protection last week. Can it take a step forward in run blocking this week?

Lineup changes for Seattle (16): Sidney Rice for Deon Butler at receiver, Jackson for Whitehurst at quarterback, Russell Okung for Chester Pitts at left tackle, Paul McQuistan for Mike Gibson at left guard, Max Unger for Chris Spencer at center, John Moffitt for Stacy Andrews at right guard, James Carpenter for Sean Locklear at right tackle, Zach Miller for John Carlson at tight end, Brandon Mebane for Junior Siavii at defensive tackle, Alan Branch for Craig Terrill at defensive tackle, Red Bryant for Kentwan Balmer at defensive end, K.J. Wright for Aaron Curry at linebacker, David Hawthorne for Lofa Tatupu at linebacker, Leroy Hill for Hawthorne at linebacker, Brandon Browner for Kelly Jennings at right cornerback, Kam Chancellor or Atari Bigby for Lawyer Milloy, depending on Chancellor's availability.

Arizona Cardinals:
Depth at running back remains the biggest injury variable for the Cardinals heading into Week 4. Beanie Wells hopes to return from the hamstring injury that sidelined him against Seattle. Hamstring injuries are notoriously difficult to manage, however. Returning too soon can put a player at heightened risk for a setback with long-term ramifications. The extent to which Wells practices late in the week should be telling. He was limited Wednesday. Chester Taylor started against Seattle, but Alfonso Smith was the primary back. Fellow running back and return specialist LaRod Stephens-Howling, recovering from a hand injury, also missed the Seattle game. He has only two kickoff returns this season. After three games last season, he had 13 returns for 351 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals also miss what he brought to the offense as a situational player. On defense, linebacker Daryl Washington returned from his calf injury against Seattle.

San Francisco 49ers:
Receiver Braylon Edwards and fullback Moran Norris remain out, hurting the offense. Edwards would have given the team a needed receiving threat heading into the 49ers' game against Philadelphia's talented secondary. More pressure falls on Michael Crabtree, who apparently made it through Week 3 without aggravating his foot injury. Running back Frank Gore was on the practice field Wednesday despite suffering an injured right ankle against Cincinnati. That injury could lead to more playing time for rookie Kendall Hunter. Injuries were already affecting the ground game. The 49ers miss Norris and their top blocking tight end, Nate Byham, who is on injured reserve. Safety Donte Whitner was expected to play this week despite a hip injury. Having fellow safety Dashon Goldson return from injury last week helped the team's depth at the position.

Seattle Seahawks:
The Seahawks' latest injury-related change to the offensive line will not affect the game-day rotation. Assistant head coach/offensive line Tom Cable underwent back surgery that will keep him from coaching for the short term. On the field, Seattle appears likely to start the same five linemen in the same spots in back-to-back weeks, something the team has not done this season. The line made strides overall against Arizona, but Paul McQuistan struggled through a tough matchup against Calais Campbell in his first game as Robert Gallery's injury replacement at left guard. Fullback Michael Robinson's absence since Week 1 has hurt the special-teams coverage units. He's back this week. Strong safety Kam Chancellor is expected to start despite resting a thigh injury Wednesday. Receiver Sidney Rice made it through his Seattle debut without aggravating his shoulder injury. His availability is big for the passing game.

St. Louis Rams:
Sam Bradford participated fully in practice despite his sprained toe. He was hurt scrambling against Baltimore. The fact that Bradford missed no practice time suggests the injury does not threaten his availability. What it means for his mobility will be harder to say. Running back Steven Jackson practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and appeared closer to full strength than at any time since suffering a quadriceps injury in Week 1, according to reports. He appears likely to play a more significant role against Washington this week. Receiver Danny Amendola appears on course to return from a dislocated elbow following the Rams' Week 5 bye. He participated in individual drills Wednesday, but it's an upset if the Rams hurry him back into the lineup with the bye so close. Tight end Michael Hoomanawanui continues to fight through injuries. He emerged from the Baltimore game with a back injury, but he practiced on a limited basis. With injury issues affecting the secondary, the Rams signed veteran cornerback Rod Hood, formerly of the Cardinals. The Rams released rookie safety Jermale Hines, who appeared headed for the practice squad.

The St. Louis Rams' 0-3 start contrasts sharply with the 3-0 beginning for Detroit after the Lions rose from similar franchise depths.

Of course, the Lions have faced the Bucs, Chiefs and Vikings to this point, while the Rams had to play the Eagles, Giants and Ravens. There is no comparison between the schedules.

And the Rams' offense deserves some leniency after unexpectedly changing coordinators and losing two of its most important players, Steven Jackson and Danny Amendola, to injuries in the season opener.

However, the Rams' defensive front seven should be better, the offensive line should be much better and quarterback Sam Bradford should appear more comfortable.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch drives home these points and others. He says the Rams must answer tough questions after losing for the sixth time in their last seven games, all while the Lions have gone 3-0 after rising from similar franchise depths. Miklasz: "This is Billy Devaney's third year as the GM, and his fourth year as the top talent scout in the organization. This is Steve Spagnuolo's third season as the head coach, and he has considerable authority in making personnel decisions in conjunction with Devaney. With the Rams having now gone 1-6 in their last seven regular-season games, there are only three possible conclusions for this wrong-way direction: (1) they're failing in the important assignment of choosing players; (2) they're failing to do a good job of coaching, and deploying, these players; (3) a combination of both." Noted: Miklasz calls the Rams' offensive line the biggest waste of money in the history of St. Louis sports. Harsh criticism, but there's no question the team should be getting more from that unit after all it has invested.

Moving along, it's tough to know what to believe when NFL coaches and players discuss scheme-related dynamics.

In a visit with Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas last week, I learned the team was hoping to re-emphasize fundamentals during its upcoming game against Arizona. There would be some simplification, it appeared, after the defense suffered through an uptick in assignment errors the previous week.

Yet, after Seattle prevailed over the Cardinals, 13-10, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll reflected upon what he considered to be a "very complex" defensive plan for the game.

"We had to prepare with four or five different ways to play nickel," Carroll said. "It was a challenge to our play calling."

But as Darren Urban of azcardinals.com reports, Arizona guard Daryn Colledge thought the Seahawks did nothing fancy.

"The Seahawks did a good job in their system, but their system was pretty simple and it was one we should have reacted well to," Colledge said. "We disappointed ourselves. We are the ones stopping ourselves. We have to get guys on the same page. Time is ticking by."

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals have lost nine consecutive games on the road and six consecutive games within the NFC West. Noted: It's tough comparing the current team to the one that suffered through such quarterback upheaval last season. It's also fair to expect the Cardinals to win games when they hold opponents to 13 points, as they did against Seattle in Week 3.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Carroll liked what he saw from cornerback Brandon Browner against Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times runs through what he learned from the Seahawks' performance against Arizona, including a note about Golden Tate making strides. O'Neil on Tate: "That isn't necessarily evident on the stat sheet considering he had only two catches, but to watch him in practice the past two weeks is to see a player gaining confidence and getting a swagger back. That was evident on Sunday because neither of those grabs was easy. But with Doug Baldwin's play, Rice's return and Tate's emergence, Seattle is getting more weapons." Noted: The Seahawks remain conservative on offense while their offensive line gains experience. I think the offense would be in much better position to maximize those weapons if Matt Hasselbeck remained the quarterback. However, I also question whether Hasselbeck would have held up to the pounding Jackson has taken through the first few games.

Christian Caple of seattlepi.com says Carroll is defending Jackson from criticisms about Seattle's quarterback play. Fans booed for a time Sunday. Carroll: "I think they’re scrutinizing very sharply at this point. Right from the beginning, people were wondering, 'Why would you bring him in?' and there were those kinds of questions. He's not wavered by it at all and I’m not either. But it's going to take some time before everybody gets comfortable and sees what he's all about. I think they didn't boo him in the second half. I think the second half was OK. I think when he showed how tough he is and the competitor that he is and the plays that he can make and all that … he’s got to do his part, and they need to give him a chance."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com disputes the notion that Frank Gore might be finished after three rough games to start the season. Maiocco: "There simply hasn't been much room for the 49ers' running backs to maneuver. And that might not change until the passing attack can get things going. After all, Alex Smith has been efficient, but his 504 yards passing in three games ranks 28th in the league. One myth that you can completely ignore is the notion that Gore signed a big contract extension and is no longer motivated. Gore, really, got only $2 million guaranteed and he must play and put up big numbers for him to come even close to getting the reported $21 million through the 2014 season. Gore is in his seventh NFL season, and his commitment level is as high as it's ever been." Noted: Gore has produced behind shaky offensive lines in the past. Harbaugh came to the 49ers with a reputation for a high number of variations within the running game. In theory, his presence should make the ground game stronger. However, injuries to Nate Byham and Moran Norris have made life much tougher for Gore, in my view. Both played important roles in the run game. Both are missed.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News says the 49ers are disputing the illegal-touching call negating Michael Crabtree's touchdown reception against the Bengals. Inman: "It looked like he was inbound and never stepped out of bounds; that's what it looks like from our coaches' video. It was a heck of a play. It was a fantastic play by Michael and a fantastic play by Alex (Smith) in a part of the game where that touchdown was big and important."

Arizona: Inside linebacker Daryl Washington continues to miss practice with a calf injury suffered during the regular-season opener. He did not play against Washington and will be missed if unavailable again this week. Washington flashed playmaking ability last season and picked up where he left off. The other starting inside linebacker, Paris Lenon, practiced fully despite briefly leaving the Washington game. The Cardinals should have strong depth at the position, but veteran newcomer Stewart Bradley has struggled getting comfortable in a 3-4 scheme. He and Reggie Walker could play more against the Seahawks. Running back LaRod Stephens-Howling was limited in practice and could return from a hand injury. He's a threat on kick returns and tends to get the ball when Arizona puts him on offense, but if the hand injury threatens ball security, that could change. Beanie Wells is commanding more carries, anyway.

St. Louis: The Rams think running back Steven Jackson wouldn't have tested his strained quadriceps during pregame warmups in Week 2 if he weren't close to returning. That suggests Jackson could be back on the field against Baltimore in Week 3. The Rams need him, but can they count on his health? Recent history suggests they cannot even though Jackson has played through most of his injuries. Backup Cadillac Williams suffered a hamstring injury Monday night, but he's expected to be available. Depth at receiver and cornerback is also a concern. Receiver Danny Amendola will push to get back from a dislocated elbow as early as the Rams will let him back on the field, but it might not happen this week. Amendola's backup, rookie Greg Salas, muffed a punt Monday night and emerged from the game with injured ribs. The corner situation remains dicey, although it hasn't gotten appreciably worse after Tim Atchison landed on injured reserve. The team signed corner Josh Gordy from its practice squad to replace Atchison, who also had roots on the practice squad. Losing starter Ron Bartell and projected third corner Jerome Murphy previously forced the Rams into a tough spot. Linebacker Ben Leber (groin) and defensive end C.J. Ah You (wrist) are also injured. Ah You will not play Sunday, leaving more snaps, in theory, for rookie first-round pick Robert Quinn. The Rams practiced later than usual Wednesday, so an official report was not yet available.

San Francisco: Losing receiver Braylon Edwards to knee surgery was the big story from 49ers headquarters Wednesday. It's not clear how long Edwards will miss, but he's not playing against Cincinnati in Week 3. Michael Crabtree's expected return would help, but he hasn't practiced much with the team under coach Jim Harbaugh. Joshua Morgan, Ted Ginn Jr. and Kyle Williams figure to play more prominent roles. This could be the week tight end Vernon Davis gets more involved in the offense as a receiver. He made key plays against Seattle in the opener, but the 49ers haven't been leaning on the pass. Davis met with Harbaugh this week to discuss his role after catching only seven passes for 65 yards in the first two games. He went through two stints last season with equal or less production in consecutive games. Each time, he had a 100-yard receiving game the next week. Fullback Moran Norris has a lower leg injury that could threaten his availability. Bruce Miller, whose primary value is on special teams, would replace him. It's possible the team would run fewer two-back personnel groupings without Norris. The team has averaged 2.2 yards per carry from two-back personnel on early downs, compared to 3.7 with one back. UPDATE: The 49ers disclosed that quarterback Alex Smith suffered a concussion against Dallas, but Smith practiced fully Wednesday.

Seattle: Receiver Sidney Rice returned to practice and will try to play despite a torn labrum. Having him available and anywhere near full strength would significantly improve the Seahawks' prospects in the passing game, particularly against an Arizona secondary that has struggled. But it's too early in the week to know whether Rice's shoulder will hold up. The offensive line will shuffle again with Robert Gallery requiring groin surgery. The dropoff from a diminished Gallery to a healthier Paul McQuistan might not be significant, but it's been four seasons since McQuistan started. If necessary, the team could always shift right tackle James Carpenter back to left guard, with Breno Giacomini going back into the lineup at right tackle. But McQuistan gets first crack at starting. Fullback Michael Robinson continues to miss practice with an ankle injury. The team feels his loss on special teams. The same is true with cornerback Byron Maxwell, who also missed practice with an ankle injury. Losing Robinson and Maxwell during the opener at San Francisco played a role in the Seahawks' late special-teams collapse. Coaches have had time to prepare contingencies, but getting Robinson back in particular will help.