12th man seahawks fan
10-21-2006, 04:29 PM
KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) -- Seattle Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram had been waiting to learn whether a virus or an autoimmune disease was causing the thyroid condition that has him out indefinitely.
Turns out, it's both.
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Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said Friday that test results showed a virus and Graves' disease caused Engram's hyperactive thyroid and, subsequently, an accelerated heartbeat and fatigue. Engram has lost about eight pounds while staying at home for the last two weeks.
Friday, the team's leading receiver in 2005 rode an exercise bike and then appeared at practice for the first time since he got sick. Engram exchanged hugs on the sidelines with fellow receivers Deion Branch and Darrell Jackson. He appeared in good spirits -- and thinner.
Engram will miss his second consecutive game on Sunday against Minnesota, meaning Branch will start again. Holmgren said he hopes to have Engram back on the practice field sometime next week.
Graves' disease is a treatable, autoimmune condition in which antibodies the body uses to fight disease begin attacking the body itself, causing the thyroid to produce an excess amount of hormones. Doctors had been waiting for tests to return from a laboratory in North Carolina before they could continue treating Engram, who has 18 receptions and one touchdown in four games this season.
"The tests allowed them to focus in on the medicines he should take. They feel real good about it," Holmgren said of the doctors. "He's on a new medication.
"Now, I'm a little optimistic about those things, but I expect him to participate a little bit next week."
The team did not permit Engram to be interviewed as he talked and joked with teammates in the locker room after practice.
When asked whether Engram had missed so much time that he may need a couple of weeks of conditioning before he can play, Holmgren said, "I hope it's not a couple of weeks. I'm going to stick him in there as soon as I think he's ready to go."
The Seahawks will get one receiver back Sunday. Holmgren said starting tight end Jerramy Stevens will make his season debut. Stevens had surgeries on his left knee in April and August and then had fluid drained behind his knee cap early this week. That fluid buildup was causing the discomfort that nixed Seattle's plans for Stevens to play last week at St. Louis.
Looks like we could be without Engram for a little bit, lucky for us Stevens should be back soon, and we have 3 other perfectly cabable wepons in the reciving core.
Turns out, it's both.
ADVERTISEMENT
Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said Friday that test results showed a virus and Graves' disease caused Engram's hyperactive thyroid and, subsequently, an accelerated heartbeat and fatigue. Engram has lost about eight pounds while staying at home for the last two weeks.
Friday, the team's leading receiver in 2005 rode an exercise bike and then appeared at practice for the first time since he got sick. Engram exchanged hugs on the sidelines with fellow receivers Deion Branch and Darrell Jackson. He appeared in good spirits -- and thinner.
Engram will miss his second consecutive game on Sunday against Minnesota, meaning Branch will start again. Holmgren said he hopes to have Engram back on the practice field sometime next week.
Graves' disease is a treatable, autoimmune condition in which antibodies the body uses to fight disease begin attacking the body itself, causing the thyroid to produce an excess amount of hormones. Doctors had been waiting for tests to return from a laboratory in North Carolina before they could continue treating Engram, who has 18 receptions and one touchdown in four games this season.
"The tests allowed them to focus in on the medicines he should take. They feel real good about it," Holmgren said of the doctors. "He's on a new medication.
"Now, I'm a little optimistic about those things, but I expect him to participate a little bit next week."
The team did not permit Engram to be interviewed as he talked and joked with teammates in the locker room after practice.
When asked whether Engram had missed so much time that he may need a couple of weeks of conditioning before he can play, Holmgren said, "I hope it's not a couple of weeks. I'm going to stick him in there as soon as I think he's ready to go."
The Seahawks will get one receiver back Sunday. Holmgren said starting tight end Jerramy Stevens will make his season debut. Stevens had surgeries on his left knee in April and August and then had fluid drained behind his knee cap early this week. That fluid buildup was causing the discomfort that nixed Seattle's plans for Stevens to play last week at St. Louis.
Looks like we could be without Engram for a little bit, lucky for us Stevens should be back soon, and we have 3 other perfectly cabable wepons in the reciving core.