AP

Seattle Seahawks' Nate Burleson catches a pass during the team's minicamp Monday, June 2, 2008, in Kirkland, Wash.

KIRKLAND, Wash. - When Bobby Engram became the latest veteran lost from the Seahawks' wide receiver rotation, Nate Burleson looked around in amazement.

"I don't know man, 26 years old and I feel like I'm a truly old vet on the team," Burleson said Monday after learning that Engram will miss six to eight weeks with a cracked right shoulder.

Deion Branch is already out following reconstructive knee surgery. And D.J. Hackett is gone to Carolina in free agency.

Suddenly, Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has only one proven veteran wide receiver to throw to. Burleson had 50 catches and a team-best nine touchdowns last season, his second with his hometown team.

"No, I don't feel any pressure at all, man," Burleson said. "I was brought here just to be an addition to this team, not the main piece."

Beyond Burleson: Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor have 17 career receptions combined. Then there's former University of Oregon basketball player Jordan Kent, 2007 practice squad player Logan Payne, former San Francisco 49er Bryan Gilmore and undrafted free agent Michael Bumpus from Washington State, who has impressed this summer.

"With all these young guys flying around, I'm not too concerned about being the only receiver out there, because I know that's not going to be the case," Burleson said.

He may be concerned about losing his role as the punt returner. Common sense may force the Seahawks to remove him from that job so he doesn't get hurt, too.

Burleson was back shagging punts with Obomanu, rookie seventh-round pick Justin Forsett and backup quarterback Seneca Wallace during Monday's afternoon practice.

"I would love to juggle being a returner and a receiver. Hopefully, if I am playing more receiver (returning) will be a situational thing. The adrenaline of being a returner is unbelievable. I really don't want to relinquish that to anybody," Burleson said, chuckling. "I don't want to pass that rush on to anybody. I love it, man. It's like no other, man. It's the unexpected about being back there.

"I'm open and willing to anything. ... Whatever coach wants from me, I'll do it."

SPENCER SLOWED: Center Chris Spencer, the first-round draft choice from 2005 out of Mississippi, was supposed to practice Monday for the first time this summer but remained in the training room rehabilitating his injured back.

"The tests that we've given him appear to be OK," coach Mike Holmgren said. "But he can hardly tie his shoes right now, so we're just working on it."

When asked when it will be too late for Spencer to get back and be ready for the opener Sept. 7 at Buffalo, Holmgren said: "You guys can do the math on the thing. We've got about three weeks to go here. You've got to practice a little bit. It's getting to a little bit of a crucial time here."

Steve Vallos remains the first-string center. The backup guard and seventh-round draft choice in 2007 spent all of last season on the practice squad. The expected backup at that position was Chris Gray, but Gray was forced to retired last week because of a back injury that threatened his ability to walk.

"I think Vallos is doing a great job, but it's hard, yeah," Holmgren said. "The line is coming together nicely. I believe it's going to be a good line. But center is an important position for us.

"I'm expecting (Spencer) to take the next step. So this time he's missing is tough, it's going to be tough on him. I absolutely think he's capable. He just has to get healthy."

JACKSON RISES: Rookie first-round pick Lawrence Jackson was the first-string defensive end on the right side after a strong debut game last week at Minnesota and he may start there Saturday against Chicago. Darryl Tapp, the second-round pick in 2006, moved over to left end with second-year veteran Baraka Atkins while Pro Bowl end Patrick Kerney remains out with a calf injury.

Jackson said he wasn't expecting to be with the starters so soon.

"It kind of surprised me," the speedy, 28th overall selection from Southern California said. "As a competitor, I thought I played well enough to show what I can do. But nothing's etched in stone."

Jackson credits defensive line coach Dwaine Board with accelerating his development by simplifying all there is to learn as an NFL rookie.

QUICK HITS: QB Matt Hasselbeck missed his second and third consecutive practices with a stiff back. He watched the last part of the Monday afternoon drills while stretching and rubbing the lower left side of his back. ... Starting FB Leonard Weaver missed the afternoon practice with a sore hamstring. ... The Seahawks signed DB Marquis Floyd and LB Dallas Sartz. They also reached injury settlements before waiving LB Matt Castelo and CB Derrick Johnson, formerly of the University of Washington. Johnson practiced just one morning with the team before getting hurt.