Jackson’s seizure more serious than thought

Kirkland, Wash. Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren indicated Wednesday the seizure Darrell Jackson had during last Sunday’s game in Dallas was more serious than initially thought.

During his weekly news conference, Holmgren said the wide receiver “almost died” because of the seizure.

A team spokesman later clarified the remark, saying Jackson never was in immediate danger of dying because his heart was beating and he continued to breathe. The spokesman said Holmgren meant to convey that Jackson could have died.

The coach’s earlier comments, however, showed how seriously the team took the seizure.

“The simple thing of the matter is Darrell almost died,” Holmgren said. “That’s the deal. Is anything worth that? Let’s look at the potential consequences of this thing.”

Holmgren said medical personnel struggled to keep Jackson’s airway open during a chaotic 40 minutes. The locker room was cleared of reporters until Jackson was loaded onto a waiting ambulance and taken to a hospital.

The issue came up after Holmgren described giving Jackson a hug when he saw the receiver at Seahawks headquarters Wednesday morning.

“I’ve never been so happy to see a player on a Wednesday morning,” Holmgren said. “Normally, I’m a little grumpy.”

The NFL fined Cowboys safety Darren Woodson $75,000 on Wednesday for an illegal hit on Jackson during the game.

Proehl likes matchup with Cardinals

St. Louis The Arizona Cardinals are a bigger opponent on the schedule for St. Louis fans than Rams players, with one notable exception.

Wide receiver Ricky Proehl was happy to have the Cardinals join the NFC West, having begun his career there in 1990 two years after they left St. Louis. He played his first five seasons with the Cardinals after they made him a third-round draft pick, so he’s aware this is a special game for St. Louis.

Proehl, who played with several transplanted Cardinals such as Roy Green and J.T. Smith at the beginning of his career, compares the fans’ attitude towards Sunday’s game in Phoenix to that of a college rivalry. Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill has been vilified in St. Louis, which was without an NFL team for seven years before the Rams arrived in 1995.

“There’s definite distaste for the Cardinals,” Proehl said. “When they put this one on the schedule, the fans look forward to it. So for us we feel like it’s a must win just from the fan standpoint because it’s such a big game for them emotionally.”

Colts’ James might not play Sunday

Indianapolis Edgerrin James might miss Sunday’s game against Tennessee because of a partially torn right hamstring. The Colts listed James as doubtful Wednesday, and coach Tony Dungy said James would not practice this week so he could rest. James watched Wednesday’s practice from the sideline.

Ricky Williams, an undrafted rookie from Texas Tech, could replace James for Sunday’s game, which the Colts need to win to maintain first place in the AFC South.