RENTON, Wash. — All signs are pointing toward Matt Hasselbeck returning to quarterback the reeling Seahawks on Sunday against Jacksonville.

The three-time Pro Bowl passer looked sharp while completing a second consecutive practice yesterday. It's his first work since he broke a rib Sept. 20 on a dive for the goal line at San Francisco.

The team officially listed him as "limited" on the daily practice report it filed to the league. Hasselbeck took the majority of snaps with the first-team offense, with backup Seneca Wallace left with only a few.

Hasselbeck didn't look very limited to top receiver Nate Burleson. He expects Hasselbeck to be throwing to him Sunday.

"Yeah, he wouldn't be taking as many reps as he has this week if he wasn't," Burleson said. "Plus, he looks good, really zipping the ball in there."

Burleson was smiling while talking about the return of his starting quarterback. Seattle (1-3) has lost three straight games, with Hasselbeck missing 2 1/2 of them.

"When you are labeled a starter at quarterback in this league, that's a big deal," said Burleson, who is second in the NFC with 24 catches. "Regardless of whether the backup is better, or as good, they want him on the field. And by 'they' I mean players, coaches, fans, the whole organization.

"It does more for the morale of the team than anything."

ELSEWHERE

Browns: Cleveland linebacker D'Qwell Jackson did not practice because of a hamstring injury. Rookies David Veikune (Campbell High and University of Hawai'i) and Kaluka Maiava (Baldwin High and Southern Cal) are listed as backups behind Jackson and Eric Barton.

Dolphins: Linebacker Joey Porter and two other injured Miami defenders returned to practice yesterday in preparation for their Monday night game against the Jets. Porter, linebacker Akin Ayodele and end Phillip Merling were all in pads after sitting out Wednesday.

Giants: With 79 career starts, David Carr could replace Eli Manning when New York meets the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Manning missed his second straight practice yesterday with an injured right heel and a decision on whether he plays may not be made until Sunday.

Patriots: Oft-injured running back Fred Taylor is sidelined again and could need surgery on his right ankle after leading the New England Patriots in rushing this season. Taylor is expected to miss Sunday's game at Denver.

Texans: Houston rookie linebacker Brian Cushing returned to practice yesterday after staying home the day before with flu-like symptoms. Coach Gary Kubiak says Cushing, who started feeling ill Tuesday night, is OK and will play Sunday at Arizona.

Obituary: Leon Clarke, a two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver in the NFL who played for Southern California in the 1955 Rose Bowl, has died at 76. He died of pancreatitis on Monday in Los Alamitos, USC said yesterday. Clarke played for the Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings in an eight-year pro career.