Posted by Clare Farnsworth on November 4, 2010 – 1:15 pm

Matt Hasselbeck will not play on Sunday against the New York Giants at Qwest Field because the Seahawks’ starting quarterback has yet to be cleared to practice after getting a concussion in last week’s game against the Raiders in Oakland.

That means Charlie Whitehurst will make his first NFL start.

Coach Pete Carroll just made the double announcement.

“We’re going to hold Matt Hasselbeck out this week,” Carroll said. “He’s needs another week to get right.

“Charlie Whitehurst is going to start, and I’m excited for Charlie to get his chance. He’s come here to play and he’s looking forward to it.”

Whitehurst was acquired in a March trade with the Chargers and did not start a game – or throw a pass in a regular-season game – during his four seasons in San Diego.

“You expect to play every week,” Whitehurst said. “This week, I expected to start, maybe a little more than weeks past for sure. I’ve been preparing since after the (Raiders) game to start this game and I’ll be ready to go.

“It’s exciting. It does kind of sneak up on you. But luckily I’ve been preparing like this for not just this year, but in years past. So I feel like I’m ready to go and I plan to go out there and play well.”

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