Are we looking at Déjà vu all over again for the Seahawks? Head coach Jim Mora says the injury bug that has once again reared its head early this season should not be considered as major a concern as the one that basically ruined the 2008 season for the Seahawks. Eight opening-day starters ended the ’08 season on injured reserve, including every member of the offensive line, while QB Matt Hasselbeck missed a career-high nine games with a bulging disc.

But after entering their Week Two matchup vs. the 49ers with 10 projected starters out with injuries, according to Mora, and then finishing the game with four more starters down for the count, led by Hasselbeck, who reportedly broke a rib late in the first half, one must wonder if poor health will once again create pure hell for the Hawks. The team looked rather sickly on both sides of the ball Sunday, falling to the Niners 23-10 and completely failing to handle Niners RB Frank Gore (16-207-2 rushing).

Other Seahawks suffering new injuries in addition to Haselbeck were MLB Lofa Tatupu, who had a recurrence of a hamstring injury after the game’s first defensive series; OLT Sean Locklear, who hurt his ankle in the second quarter; and CB Josh Wilson, who injured an ankle.

The PFW spin

The big question is whether or not Hasselbeck, who turns 34 this week, can play this Sunday at home against the Bears with a busted rib. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb couldn’t play this past Sunday against the Saints with a similar ailment, and the early consensus seems to be that Hasselbeck is very likely to be sidelined in favor of Seneca Wallace, who completed 15-of-23 passes for 127 yards in relief of Hasselbeck Sunday and produced Seattle’s lone touchdown, a one-yard TD pass to Julius Jones.

Hasselbeck was expertly moving the Seahawks downfield late in the first half on the drive leading up to that score, only to get clobbered by Niners ILB Patrick Willis while diving head first toward the goal line. In came Wallace, who for the most part has proven to be a very serviceable backup. Possessing excellent all-around athleticism that provides an extra dimension, Wallace could be making his 13th career start this Sunday. He has logged a 5-7 record in place of Hasselbeck — 3-5 last season with an impressive 11-3 TD-interception ratio.

The injuries on the defensive side of the ball certainly made their presence felt against the Niners, with 3-technique DT Brendon Mebane (calf) and SLB Leroy Hill (groin; out until late October), among others, not even suiting up for the game. Gore, who just might have the Seahawks’ number (he gained 212 yards vs. Seattle in a November 2006 game), looked like a bull in a china shop Sunday, ripping off massive TD runs of 79 and 80 yards and taking advantage of what Mora said was poor gap control. DRE Patrick Kerney took the blame for Gore’s back-breaking 80-yard jaunt on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, saying he failed to fill his gap after being drawn toward Niners QB Shaun Hill. But Kerney was hardly the only defender to blame on a day the entire unit would probably like to forget as soon as humanly possible.

Mora said none of the aforementioned injuries are considered overly serious, but his tune could change in the coming days as the players’ status becomes clearer. What would really help is the return to action of All-Pro OLT Walter Jones (knee) and C Chris Spencer (quad), who both could be making their first starts of the season against the Bears. If they can’t, and Locklear remains gimpy, the Seahawks could have huge problems against the Bears’ improved defensive front, with Brandon Frye, who has been on the team for only a couple of weeks, possibly being forced to man the all-important OLT position.

As was the case last season, it appears the NFL’s weekly injury lists have become “must reads” for Seahawks fans far and wide.