Alexander status for NFC title game in question after concussion

Associated Press
Sat, Jan 14, 2006


SEATTLE -- Now that the Seahawks have advanced to their first NFC championship game, the big question is whether Shaun Alexander will be able to play.

The NFL MVP missed the last three-plus quarters of the Seahawks` 20-10 playoff win over the Washington Redskins on Saturday after sustaining a concussion.

Alexander was hit in the side of the head as he was falling during a 1-yard loss. Washington defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin immediately signaled to the Seattle sideline for medical attention for Alexander, who was face down on the turf while propped up on both knees. Griffin made the initial hit into Alexander`s legs that brought down the league rushing champion.

After a few moments, Alexander walked to the sideline. He spent the next series sitting on the bench and occasionally moving his head around while trainers talked to him. A series after that, he looked less likely to return. Alexander, still seated, wore a Seahawks coat with the hood pulled up over his head. At the time, the Seahawks announced his return was questionable.

As Alexander left the field at halftime, with his coat still on and hood still up, he flashed an ``OK`` sign to fans before he entered the tunnel to the locker room. But he was declared out moments later.

He had 9 yards on six carries when he left. Maurice Morris replaced him and had 12 yards on his first six carries and finished with 49 yards on 18 carries.

It was hardly the day Alexander anticipated, after carrying Seattle the entire year while setting an NFL single-season record for touchdowns with 28. But he put on his best face and became the most accomplished cheerleader in the NFL.

When his team was on offense, Alexander stood near coach Mike Holmgren, his effervescent smile as steady as the daylong rain. By then, a blue, team skull cap replaced the hood on his head.

He was also a coat valet for Morris when the backup would come to the sideline. After Matt Hasselbeck`s 6-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave the Seahawks a 14-3 lead, Alexander marched out to the numbers on the field to hug his quarterback. During timeouts, he poked his head into conferences between Hasselbeck and Holmgren.