Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (back, knee) and receiver Deion Branch (heel) returned to practice in Seattle on Wednesday. That gives a badly needed boost to the 2-7 Seahawks, who host the Cardinals on Sunday.

"I have my fingers crossed," Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said. "If they have a good week, they'll play on Sunday."

Hasselbeck hasn't played in six weeks, so Holmgren doesn't expect him to be able to shake all the rust away.

"I would say if anyone can pull it off, he might be able to do it. .. . But, it probably isn't going to be exactly the same. I think he'll do as good a job as most people can. He's smart and he's played a lot of football."

That said, "I always believe that the more you practice the better you are. And he hasn't been able to (practice) much."

Meanwhile, Patrick Kerney, the Seahawks' star defensive end, is listed as out because of a shoudler injury.

For the Cardinals, tackle Mike Gandy and cornerbacks Eric Green and Rod Hood had limited practices.

Otherwise, the team is healthy.

CALL IT THE WILDCAT

It's not exactly new, but now it has a name that appears to have stuck.

It's the Wildcat formation. In practical terms, it has come to mean somebody other than the quarterback taking the snap from center.

The Cardinals did this a few times last year, but nobody called it "Wildcat."

Everyone seems to have their own reason for why this label came about.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said he understands an assistant coach for Miami brought the term with him from college at Arkansas, where the formation was used with star running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.

"We've run the same thing for a couple of years. We didn't call it Wildcat.

But now, "If you say Wildcat, everybody seems to know what you're talking about ... it's kind of a catchy term. It stuck."

Kurt Warner isn't a fan of the formation.

"I just know the ball isn't in my hands."

For the Cardinals, Anquan Boldin has been the guy getting the snap.

Warner would be a receiver, but he doesn't figure to be catching any passes.

"I know 'Q' can throw it. But I don't know if he can throw it 25 yards. That's probably as far down the field as I'll get.

"I don't think the coaches are into that. I think they'll leave it in Q's hands."

TOUGH SCHEDULE

The Cardinals now move into the most difficult part of their schedule.

They play at Sunday at Seattle — where they've been blown out in recent years — then return home to host the defending champion New York Giants, then visit Philadelphia on Thanksgiving night.

Whisenhunt pointed out the Cardinals have played tough teams in the past and expectations for this stretch shouldn't be based on the team's performance Monday night vs. San Francisco.

The Cardinals have won three out of four, and, "There are a lot of plays yet to be made. We just didn't execute as well (Monday).

"I don't think our team is scared of anybody that we're going to play.

"I don't think there's a team we don't feel we like we can beat."