Seahawks’ Browner out awhile; tackles return

Cornerback Brandon Browner “could be down quite awhile” after straining a groin muscle in Sunday’s 33-10 win in Atlanta, but coach Pete Carroll had good Seahawks health news as well Monday: Tackles Russell Okung and Breno Giacomini will be practicing full time, and WR Percy Harvin will be activated for Sunday’s home game against his old team, Minnesota.

“He heard a significant pop,” Carroll said of Browner on his weekly show on ESPN 710 radio. An MRI scheduled for Monday was to have revealed the extent of the damage.

Stepping in for Browner Sunday as well against the Vikings will be nickel back Walter Thurmond. Moving into the nickel spot will be third-year vet Byron Maxwell.

“Walter and Byron are indoctrinated into the system,” Carroll said. “They’re sound.”

C Max Unger will also return after sitting out last week with a concussion. Less optimistic was the forecast for DE Red Bryant.

“Max is fine — he came on fast late last week,” Carroll said. “Red is not as far along.”

The return of the tackles comes after a game in which their replacements finally found traction in the running game as well as pass protection.

“That was our best accomplishment of the season,” Carroll said.  “That we’ve been able to hang together, with Russell Wilson getting pounded. Now we’re doing a better job of protecting. It’s really fun.”

To make room for Harvin, the Seahawks Monday cut DT Michael Brooks, whom they signed Friday off the practice squad to help fill Bryant’s D-line void. Brooks played Sunday and had one tackle.