Watters Comes and Goes in Win

The return of Ricky Watters to the starting lineup of the Seattle Seahawks didn’t last long.

Watters injured his right ankle in the fourth quarter and was on crutches after rushing for 104 yards and a touchdown as the Seahawks stayed in the middle of the playoff race by beating the Dallas Cowboys, 29-3, Sunday.

The Seahawks (7-6) ended a two-game winning streak by the Cowboys (4-9) in a driving rain and strong winds at Husky Stadium. Seattle plays two of its last three games on the road.

Watters ran for his 78th career touchdown in the first quarter, and Shaun Alexander scored his 12th rushing touchdown of the season in the final quarter. Watters’ right ankle was injured on the second play of the fourth period on his 28th carry of the game.

“We’ll wait until tomorrow, but right now it’s pretty sore,” Watters said. “I’m definitely hoping for good news. I’m not even thinking about the bad news.”

Coach Mike Holmgren tried to downplay Watters’ latest injury.

“He twisted his ankle a little bit,” he said. “I don’t think any of our injuries are real serious. I think we’ll have all our guys back, Ricky being one of them, next week.”

Watters, who sat out eight games because of a right shoulder injury, was named the Seahawks’ starting running back by Holmgren for the game although Alexander became the franchise’s fourth 1,000-yard rusher this season.

Watters’ one-yard touchdown run put Seattle in front, 7-0, with less than five minutes gone in the game. It was his first 100-yard rushing game of the season and the 33rd of his career.

Alexander cemented the victory when he scored on a seven-yard run. That made it 22-3 with less than seven minutes to play.