If Dr. James Andrews discovers a relatively minor injury, Kerney will miss a few weeks. But if Kerney tore the labrum that Andrews surgically repaired in the offseason, he is done for the year and will be placed on injured reserve.

Kerney initially injured the shoulder in the Seahawks' thrashing of San Francisco on Oct. 25, a game in which he returned a fumble recovery 50 yards.

The Seahawks thought it was not that bad, but then his pain medication began to wear off and the shoulder became increasingly sore, prompting a trip to Birmingham, Ala.

Now, it seems, there is a chance the already depleted Seahawks could lose their leading pass rusher for an extended period.

"It's been that kind of year," Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said.

Kerney was replaced in the starting lineup against Philadelphia by rookie Lawrence Jackson, though Jackson had almost no impact on the game.

If Kerney is done, the Seahawks are likely to sign a free agent, possibly former Green Bay Packer Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Without Kerney, the Seahawks are forced to take more chances in order to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks, leaving their secondary vulnerable.

Meanwhile, it appears quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is not likely to play against the Miami Dolphins, the bulging disc in his back keeping him sidelined for a fifth consecutive week. Holmgren, though, said team doctors assured him Hasselbeck would be able to play again this season, something that was in doubt the past few weeks.

"The feeling is he will play again this season," Holmgren said. "When? I don't know. But my hope is sooner rather than later."