Watters Displaces Alexander in the Seahawks’ Backfield

Running back Ricky Watters has regained his starting job with the Seattle Seahawks.

Coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday that Watters will start against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at Husky Stadium and in the team’s three remaining regular-season games.

Holmgren said Watters, who sat out eight games because of a shoulder injury, proved he was healthy in Seattle’s 20-7 loss Sunday at Denver.

He said he didn’t want to divide the duties between Watters and Shaun Alexander as he did against the Broncos.

Alexander has rushed for 1,009 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.

“They’ll both play, but it’s pretty hard to juggle both of them and split it up,” Holmgren said.

Holmgren said Watters, an 11-year veteran, gives the Seahawks (6-6) a better chance than Alexander to make the playoffs.

“I think right now down the stretch, Ricky’s experience, enthusiasm and fire, and his versatility just made me go this way,” Holmgren said.

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Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis, furious over comments by Pittsburgh’s Jerome Bettis in a magazine, plans to take out his anger Sunday against the AFC Central leaders.

In the story, Bettis said Cincinnati fourth-year linebacker Takeo Spikes is as good as Lewis, but doesn’t get the same accolades because he has a lesser supporting cast.

“Jerome saying Takeo Spikes is better than me? Let’s go find out,” Lewis said. “They have to come here in three, four days regardless of what’s coming out of their mouths. Tell him to tape that groin up and come see me.”

Bettis sat out last weekend against the New York Jets because of a groin injury, but is expected to play Sunday against the Ravens.

Bettis, told of Lewis’ reaction, said he did not intend to slight the linebacker.

“I just said [Spikes] is as good an athlete as Ray Lewis, he just doesn’t have the talent around him,” Bettis said. “I’m trying to compliment another guy. So [Lewis] brings that into a Steelers’ story? I guess they’re jumping on anything right now.”

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Quarterback Daunte Culpepper is expected to start for Minnesota against Detroit on Sunday after sitting out the last game because of a sprained knee.... Minnesota signed Lee Johnson, the NFL’s career leader in punts and punting yards, to replace Mitch Berger, who broke a bone in his neck against Tennessee on Sunday. Johnson, 40, was released by New England after five games this season.... San Diego receiver-punt returner Tim Dwight has been readmitted to a hospital for treatment of a collapsed lung and will sit out Saturday’s home game against Oakland.... Denver quarterback Brian Griese, recovering from a concussion, remained questionable for Sunday’s game at Kansas City.... Jon Kitna can’t make a fist or throw a football, so Cincinnati is preparing Akili Smith to start at quarterback for the first time this season. Coach Dick LeBeau will wait until Friday to make a decision.... Defensive back Robert Bailey, who has played for six teams in 11 seasons, is retiring because of two herniated disks in his neck. Bailey was hurt in a Thanksgiving Day loss to Green Bay.... Running back Rondell Mealey was put on injured reserve by Green Bay because of a broken left leg. Mealey was injured against Jacksonville on Dec. 3.