RENTON, Wash. — Lofa Tatupu appears to have recovered from the concussion he sustained Sunday at Tampa Bay, which means he'll return to the starting lineup this week at San Francisco.

No such luck for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, still bothered by a bulging disk in his back. Seneca Wallace will start again.

With Tatupu able to play, the Seahawks won't need D.D. Lewis to start. But it's nice to know he's there.

Lewis began his career with the Seahawks in 2002 before signing with Denver in 2007. He returned to the Seahawks this offseason and has been a special-teams player. But he saw almost three quarters of action at middle linebacker last week — on a sore knee he hurt during the game — when Tatupu went out.

Lewis finished with a team-high 11 total tackles, tying his career high.

"When you're at the 'mike' (middle linebacker) position, the pressure is really there because you have to make all the calls, adjustments, things like that," Lewis said.

Lewis is valuable because he can play all three linebacker positions. He worked at outside linebacker when Leroy Hill was unfit to practice last week, then found himself in the middle during the game.

Defensive coordinator John Marshall said Lewis' experience and smarts are what helps him.

"He's started a lot of games in his career," Marshall said.

Eighteen starts in 59 games, to be exact. Tatupu and Hill spoke highly of Lewis after Sunday's game.

"I thought D.D. did an unbelievable job, not getting the reps during the week and then going in . . . that's productivity for you," Tatupu said. "He made all the checks that I would have made. That's D.D. Lewis for you. You almost wish there was more positions for you to fill."

Lewis calls himself a much wiser player in his second go-round in Seattle. He was humbled by his release from Denver.

"More of a student of the game," Lewis said. "Looking at guys and appreciating guys' talents. I think I have more of a sense for the game now."

Still no Hasselbeck

Hasselbeck will miss Sunday's game, coach Mike Holmgren said, as the bulging disk in his back prevented him from passing a series of physical tests.

"They're measurables, and if he doesn't meet certain criteria, they're (team doctors) just not going to clear him," Holmgren said. "They'll retest him and evaluate him on Mondays."

Hasselbeck continues his rehabilitation, and Holmgren said he remains confident Hasselbeck will be able to play again soon.