A bleak-titled AP report is not as bleak in content.

"You will never be back to normal once you have this type of procedure done. I actually feel stronger, but it’s not normal," said Branch, who turns 30 next month. "Something has been done that removed (parts) of my knee. My biggest thing is to continue to strengthen it."

Still, Branch said he will attempt to play the same way and make the same moves that made him a star earlier this decade with the Patriots.

"I’ll be OK. I’ll never think about my knee once I take the field," he said.

It's a fairly contentless report in actual analysis of the seriousness of the injury or how well Branch looks to have recovered. But he does sound bleak, and he has turned 30.

I've made the point before and I'll make it again: I'm not sold on the optimism of a mass perfect return from injury of Seahawks players. I think realistically - considering the injuries and age involved - we should be very, very  happy if half the players who missed time last season actually make a full 16 games this season. And since those players include our starting QB, DLE, OLT and WR1, we're still looking down the barrel of gaping holes in key positions on our roster.