by Curtis Crabtree
KJR reporter
Twitter: @Curtis_Crabtree

RENTON - Seattle Seahawks CB Brandon Browner and CB Richard Sherman continue to practice with the team as they await hearings for their appeals of the suspensions that could effectively end their seasons.

Until a ruling is made following the appeal, both players are free to continue playing for the team.

Yet, with possible four-game suspensions hanging over their head it may be a little more difficult to focus in on preparing for the Chicago Bears this Sunday. However, Sherman doesn't feel like it makes things more difficult at all.

"Nothing different," Sherman said. "It’s not tough at all. This is the same old routine for us. Regardless of what’s going on, you just go out there and play football. That’s the good thing about the game, you can just go out there and play, you ain’t got to worry about nothing. And there’s nothing to worry about in the first place.

"It doesn’t affect me at all, because it happens like that in life. There are always misunderstandings and mishaps, and all you can do is continue to go about your job the same way you’ve been going about it and let everything play itself out."

So why is Sherman so confident that this ruling will go in their favor?

"Because the truth always comes out," Sherman said. "You just go on, the process is going to play out how it’s going to play out. When you know what you know, you just continue to be confident and continue to go out and play."

After practice, Sherman and Browner released a joint statement on the situation.

"To allow our focus to remain on football, during the appeal process we will refrain from any further public comments regarding this situation. Thank you for your consideration on this matter."

It seems now there won't be a whole lot of movement on the story until the appeal hearings are actually held and a ruling is issues against the two one way or the other.

Head coach Pete Carroll said DE Red Bryant has a plantar fasciitis issue that has limited him that last several weeks. Bryant first appeared on the injury report with a foot issue leading up to the team's game against the New York Jets three weeks ago.

Bryant did not practice Wednesday and Carroll was unsure if Bryant was going to be able to play this Sunday in Chicago.

"His foot is really bothering him," Carroll said. "He's got a plantar fascia issue that he's dealing with. He's had it for a long time but it's kind of flared up here the last few weeks."

If Bryant can't go, DT Alan Branch is expected to move out to Bryant's spot at end with DT Greg Scruggs replacing Branch in the interior of the line.

LB Leroy Hill also missed practice Wednesday as he is still dealing with a sore ankle. Hill was forced to leave last week's game after suffering the injury and was replaced by LB Malcolm Smith. Hill did return and finished the game. Smith would go for Hill this week if he is unable to play.

G James Carpenter is expected to be all right for this week's game after leaving the Dolphins game with a knee issue. Carpenter returned to the game but appeared to be later benched in favor of G John Moffitt. Carroll didn't say who would get the start this week at left guard between the two.

S Earl Thomas confirmed that he has been fined by the league for hit on Miami QB Ryan Tannehill on Sunday. The hit drew a personal foul that negated an interception by LB Bobby Wagner, allowing the Dolphins to score a touchdown on the next play. Thomas tweeted earlier Wednesday that he has been fined $15,000 for the play.

"It's just the NFL," Thomas said. "That's all I got to say about it."

The Seahawks made a minor roster move on Tuesday releasing practice squad QB Josh Portis and re-signing WR Phil Bates to the squad. Portis had been on the practice squad all season as the team's third quarterback. With Portis now gone, Seattle has just QB Russell Wilson and QB Matt Flynn in the building, though they've only had two on the 53-man roster throughout the season.

Injury Report:

Chicago Bears

Did Not Participate

LB Lance Briggs (ankle)
TE Kellen Davis (ankle)
WR Devin Hester (concussion)
WR Alshon Jeffrey (knee)
G Chris Spencer (knee)
CB Charles Tillman (ankle)

Limited Participation

RB Matt Forte (ankle)

Full Participation

DT Stephen Paea (shoulder)
G Edwin Williams (shoulder)

Seattle Seahawks

Did Not Participate

DE Red Bryant (foot)
LB Leroy Hill (ankle)

Limited Participation

RB Marshawn Lynch (back)
DT Greg Scruggs (oblique)