Quarterback Jon Kitna might not be looking for Joey Galloway as a possible receiver in the Seahawks season opener Sept. 12.

"I've said I thought he needed a week to practice," first-year Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Sunday. "I don't want to put him at risk on the field."

The unhappy Galloway missed the Seahawks' training camp in Cheney that ended Thursday. He missed his third exhibition game Saturday night, when the Seahawks beat Arizona 41-7 in the Kingdome for their first victory.

The Seahawks wind up their preseason schedule at Indianapolis on Thursday. They will open their regular season at home Sept. 12 against Detroit.

"Historically, in this league, if guys have done this and come in late, there's a much greater chance that they'll pull a muscle and get hurt," Holmgren said. "I don't want that to happen."

Galloway, 27, is in the final year of a five-year contract he signed with the Seahawks after they made him their first-round draft choice in 1995. He is being fined $5,000 a day by Holmgren, also the team's general manager, during his holdout.

The Seahawks initiated the renegotiation process with Galloway and have offered him a $35 million contract for seven years. Galloway is balking, seeking a pact similar to the one signed by Antonio Freeman of Green Bay, a $42 million, seven-year deal.

"I didn't think this would happen," Holmgren said.

In the Arizona game, top draft choice Lamar King, a defensive end, suffered a bruised knee and could miss the Indianapolis exhibition. He should be all right to play in the opener.

Holmgren will meet Monday with 12-year veteran offensive tackle Howard Ballard, who might retire after the meeting. Ballard, 35, hasn't been able to practice or play since Seattle's exhibition opener Aug. 14 because of arthritis in his right knee.

Todd Weiner, a second-round draft choice in 1998, is starting in Ballard's right tackle position.

"I'm not going to put any player at risk," Holmgren said of Ballard. "There's a feeling inside that says if I put 'House' on the field (he would be at risk). I won't do that to any player. Sometimes I have to be the less emotional one of the two."

Ballard, a Pro Bowler with Buffalo from 1991-93, has been with Seattle the past five seasons after signing as a free agent. He started 16 games for them last season and has played in 170 NFL games, including 154 as a starter.

"Bless his heart, he wants to play," Holmgren said. "He wants to help the team. He's just a consummate professional."

Holmgren said he liked the way the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Weiner, from Kansas State, was playing. Weiner played in five games as a rookie.

"I'd be more comfortable if he had a few years under his belt," Holmgren said. "But at some point it has to happen to every player (Ballard) and then the young guy (Weiner) steps in and plays."

The Seahawks will make two cuts this week. The first cut is from 86 to 65 players, but the team can retain as many as 74 because it has exemptions for nine players who took part in the NFL Europe spring league.

Holmgren said his first cuts will be made Monday and then announced.

On Sunday, the Seahawks must trim their roster to 53 players.