Safety Jordan Babineaux was the official starter at cornerback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, but it was only because the Seahawks started the game in their big personnel package to stop the run. Josh Wilson remains the starting cornerback and came in on the next play.
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said he will keep the lineup changes that he made last week, with Darryl Tapp starting at defensive end, Wilson at cornerback and Ray Willis and Sean Locklear splitting time at right tackle - though Locklear got 65 percent of the snaps against the Bucs.
PLAYER NOTES
--QB Matt Hasselbeck did not practice on Thursday and is not likely to play against the Niners. Hasselbeck has a bulging disk in his back.
--QB Seneca Wallace took all the snaps with the first team despite a sore calf and will likely start on Sunday.
--WR Deion Branch did not practice on Thursday and is not likely to play on Sunday. He has a heel injury.
--TE Will Heller did not practice because of a knee injury and is out for Sunday's game.
--WR Koren Robinson was limited in practice on Thursday because of a sore knee but should be able to play on Sunday. He is likely to start.
--OG Floyd Womack left Wednesday's practice because of illness but will play on Sunday.
--LB Lofa Tatupu, who had a concussion on Sunday, practiced and will play on Sunday.
GAME PLAN: The Seahawks once again will try to pressure San Francisco QB J.T. O'Sullivan, but they will focus more on causing turnovers. They sacked him eight times in the last meeting and should have gotten him three more times. Seattle also is likely to focus more on its running game in order to keep O'Sullivan and Isaac Bruce off the field. RB Julius Jones has 127 yards rushing in the last meeting.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Seahawks LBs vs. 49ers RB Frank Gore - Seattle's linebackers have struggled this season. Gore has had some strong games against Seattle but has struggled in two of the past three meetings. If Gore plays well, it will open up things for QB J.T. O'Sullivan.
Seahawks defensive backs vs. 49ers WR Isaac Bruce: Seattle's DBs have picked off only one pass this season and have allowed 10 TD passes. Bruce had four receptions for 153 yards in the last meeting, including a 63-yarder that beat Josh Wilson.
INJURY IMPACT: QB Matt Hasselbeck did not practice on Wednesday. Without him, the Seahawks have passed for a combined 156 yards over the past two weeks.
--WR Deion Branch did not practice on Wednesday. If he cannot play, Bobby Engram and Koren Robinson are likely to start on Sunday.
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