Seahawks WR Branch Hopeful Of Return For Sunday's Opener

Renton, WA (AHN) - Former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch may suit up in Seattle's season opener at Buffalo this Sunday if the wide receiver's reconstructed knee holds up in practice this week.

Branch appeared in full pads Wednesday and caught passes from the ball machine, making a first appearance since tearing his ACL in a playoff loss to Green Bay in January.

He underwent surgery in February and the procedure takes a healing time of about nine months.

But he's banking on a problem-free practice Friday afternoon so he can return at an earlier time from the injury.

The Seahawks have been eyeing for his return especially with the team hurting on the wings.

The most-targeted receiver last season, Bobby Engram, is sidelined till October with a broken shoulder and Ben Obomanu is battling a broken clavicle.

Seattle will play Nate Burleson and Courtney Taylor against the Bills and coach Mike Holmgren might also use second-string quarterback Seneca Wallace as a wideout.

Branch remains clueless on when he can suit up at 100 hundred percent.

He has had a limited stint in Seattle since arriving from New England in 2006.

In 25 games in two seasons with the Seahawks, the Louisville alum managed eight touchdowns on 1,386 yards.

His best season in the NFL came in 2005 with the Patriots, when he played the entire 16 regular-season contests and collected 998 receiving yards with five touchdowns.