by Curtis Crabtree
KJR reporter
Twitter: @Curtis_Crabtree

RENTON - DT Alan Branch practiced the final two days of the week and will play against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night.

Four others are expected to be game-time decisions.

The availability of Branch is a big boost for the Seahawks defensive line. There was concern earlier in the week that Branch wouldn't be able to play after suffering an ankle injury on Sunday in Toronto. Branch has a history of ankle injuries but it wasn't as serious as first thought.

WR Sidney Rice managed to get some work in on Friday and will need to go through pre-game workouts to make sure he'll be OK to play.

"We'll find out," Carroll said. "He feels pretty good right now but we have to get to gameday and run him and see how he can tolerate it. He thinks he's playing."

CB Walter Thurmond and CB Marcus Trufant both returned to practice on Friday and managed to get some time on the field. Both have missed games due to hamstring strains. Trufant has missed the last three weeks after getting hurt in practice.

Thurmond injured his hamstring in practice last week and wasn't able to play against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday.

"They made it through this day today. We'll go all the way to game-time with those guys," Carroll said.

S Jeron Johnson did not practice Thursday or Friday due to a strained groin. He is going to a game-time decision as well, but Carroll though he'd be able to go.

"We don't think it's bad at all. There's a really good chance he's playing," Carroll said.

CB Richard Sherman was not at practice the last two days as he was attending the appeal for the four-game suspension for a violation of the performance-enhancing drug policy. Despite the missed time and his appeal status in question, Carroll said he expects Sherman to be able to play Sunday.

"I know nothing else at this point," Carroll said of the status of Sherman's appeal.

Carroll said DT Jason Jones suffered torn cartilage in his knee during Sunday's game in Buffalo that led to him being placed on injured reserve. Carroll said Jones didn't feel anything wrong with his knee until Monday before the injury became apparent.

RB Leon Washington and RB Robert Turbin were both listed on the injury report with illnesses this week but are expected to play Sunday night.

Injury Report:

San Francisco 49ers

Questionable

LB Clark Haggans (shoulder) - DNP
DT Justin Smith (elbow) - DNP
LB Tarvares Gooden (ribs) - Limited
WR Mario Manningham (shoulder) - Limited
T Will Tukuafu (concussion) - Limited

Probable

K David Akers (pelvis) - Full
G Alex Boone (knee) - Full
LB Navarro Bowman (shoulder) - Full
LB Ahmad Brooks (shoulder) - Limited
CB Tarell Brown (shoulder) - Limited
S Dashon Goldson (foot) - Full
RB Frank Gore (wrist) - Full
G Mike Iupati (shoulder) - Full
FB Bruce Miller (shoulder) - Limited
CB Carlos Rogers (knee) - Full
LB Aldon Smith (shoulder) - Limited
S C.J. Spellman (illness) - DNP
LB Patrick Willis (shoulder) - Full

Seattle Seahawks

Questionable

WR Sidney Rice (knee) - Limited
CB Walter Thurmond (hamstring) - Limited
CB Marcus Trufant (hamstring) - Limited
S Jeron Johnson (groin) - DNP

Probable

RB Robert Turbin (illness) - Full
RB Marshawn Lynch (back) - Full
DT Alan Branch (ankle) - Full
RB Leon Washington (illness) - Full
CB Richard Sherman (non-injury) - DNP