A concussion kept Percy Harvin out of action in the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers, but on Wednesday the Seahawks wide receiver returned to practice.
Super Bowl XLVIII daily briefing: Percy Harvin returns to practice for Seahawks
Harvin has played in two of Seattle’s 18 games this season, but hopes to add a third game on February 2 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Expert Picks: SB Nation's Panel breaks down Super Bowl XLVIII
Harvin hopes to be reinstated to play against the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell talked about Harvin with Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com
“It’s pretty cool for him. He’s worked really hard. He’s just had some real unfortunate things happen to him this season. Everybody on the team, all the coaches, it’s obvious when he’s on the field the impact he can have on a game. So we want to give him every opportunity and I’m sure he wants it as well.”
Harvin missed most of the year after hip surgery and was limited to just one regular season game. He caught three passes against the Saints in the Divisional round of the playoffs but suffered a concussion in the second quarter of that game.
Wednesday notes
Seattle bye week press conferences
Super Bowl XLVIII: Seahawks vs. Broncos
Be sure to bookmark SB Nation's complete coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII. Everything from the build up, to live coverage and reactions after the big game, all in one beautiful package. Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman met the media, as did his teammate Russell Wilson and head coach Pete Carroll when Seattle conducted its bye week press conference. Asked about his animated postgame interview with Erin Andrews of FOX after Sunday's win over the 49ers, Sherman said, "If I would have really known it was going to blow up like that, I probably would have approached it differently, just in the way it took away from my teammate's great games."
Student meets Teacher
Wilson has played against Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning before, but the NFL wasn't the first place the two signal callers met. That first meeting came at a fantasy camp run by Manning, when Wilson was just a child. "How much care he showed for the kids at the time and how much detail he always talked about and how much of a perfectionist he was, and I try to use that in my game," Wilson told reporters Wednesday.
Outsider’s preview
James Dator asked his mother, an Australian woman who will watch her first Super Bowl in 2014, to preview the contest. The resulting Q&A: priceless.
Pregame music
The NFL announced its pregame entertainment for Super Bowl XLVIII on Wednesday, as Phillip Phillips and The Band Perry will perform during the NFL Tailgate Party and be part of the pregame coverage on FOX. In addition, casts of the musicals Jersey Boys and Rock of Ages will perform at the tailgate party.
Injury report
The Seahawks held three players out of practice on Wednesday, led by Marshawn Lynch, who is nursing a knee injury. In addition, wide receiver Doug Baldwin (hip) and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (ankle) didn't practice for Seattle.
For the Broncos, running back Knowshon Moreno was limited in practice with a rib injury and defensive tackle Mitch Unrein was held out of practice with a knee injury.
Numbers of interest: 5
Here are five under the radar players for each team and why they matter to this Super Bowl:
Broncos
1. Shaun Phillips - With Von Miller out, Phillips is the only threat to Russell Wilson and must play like it. He had 10 sacks this season.
2. Trindon Holiday - Denver can use all the field position it can get against this great Seattle defense.
3. Terrance Knighton - The Broncos have to contain Marshawn Lynch, and it starts up front with the big boys.
4. Montee Ball - Knowshon Moreno has been banged up all year. Ball might need to spell Moreno at times and provide quality carries.
5. Champ Bailey - He's been a non-factor all year, but could prove huge in the nickel role.
Seahawks
1. Zach Miller - This game will be won on third down, and Seattle’s tight end might have to make some clutch catches.
2. Walter Thurmond - Thurmond gets overshadowed in the secondary, but he will need a big game to stop Eric Decker.
3. Cliff Avril - Avril is a tough matchup up front with his speed and power. If he can disrupt Manning, the Seahawks are in great shape.
4. Bobby Wagner - Few linebackers have better quickness. He'll need it to read and react on running plays.
5. Doug Baldwin - Baldwin is capable of making big plays down the field, something Seattle needs.
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