The two wide receivers who received the biggest contracts during the Tim Ruskell era were not on the field when the Seattle Seahawks opened minicamp today.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Deion Branch were both sidelined following recent surgeries, per Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times. Branch is out following arthroscopic knee surgery, his third in the last two years. Houshmandzadeh had surgery last week in Philadelphia to repair a sports hernia, a problem he dealt with last season, according to coach Pete Carroll. Why surgery wasn’t performed until now is unknown.

It is somewhat surprising that Branch remains with the Seahawks but at this point it looks like the new coaching staff will evaluate him in training camp. Carroll said he’s expected to be back in plenty of time for the season, and said Houshmandzadeh should be available in a matter of weeks.

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