National Football League

Seahawks' Jackson listed as doubtful

Published Oct. 21, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Charlie Whitehurst is expected to get the start at quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in Cleveland on Sunday.

Tarvaris Jackson is doubtful after suffering a high grade strain of his right pectoral in the Seahawks' 36-25 win over the New York Giants two weeks ago. He was unable to practice during the team's bye week and has been limited in practice this week.

''We've prepared all week long to get Charlie ready to start and that's what we're thinking right now but we're still going to see what Tarvaris does the next couple days,'' coach Pete Carroll said Friday. ''He threw well yesterday and feels OK today. So we'll go all the way up to game time to see where he is, but we've prepared Charlie and we're ready to do that.''

Whitehurst has taken all the snaps with the first-team offense with Jackson sidelined. If Jackson can't play, Whitehurst would make the third start of his NFL career on Sunday. If Jackson is completely unavailable, rookie Josh Portis will serve as the backup.

''Josh has worked as much as we could afford to give him time, but we'll see where Tarvaris is,'' Carroll said.

Tight end Zach Miller is out for Sunday's game with a concussion and neck injury suffered in the win over the Giants. The team only has one other active tight end on the roster in Anthony McCoy, who is expected to start in Miller's place.

The team will likely have to activate either Cameron Morrah off the physically unable to perform list or John Nalbonne from the practice squad to get the team at least two bodies at the position.

Robert Gallery is set to return after missing four weeks with a groin injury that required surgery. He is expected to start at left guard after practicing all week. Center Max Unger is listed as doubtful with a sore foot that has kept him out of practice the last two weeks. If Unger can't play, Lemuel Jeanpierre will make his first career start after spending last season on the Seahawks practice squad.