Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah is inching toward his game-day debut as a Seattle Seahawk. After sitting out the entire preseason recovering from shoulder surgery, Ansah returned to practice ahead of Seattle’s home opener but was inactive for the game.

He’s listed as questionable to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

“He practiced all week long,” coach Pete Carroll said Friday. “He did all right. He practiced all week. He wasn’t limited at all. At this point, he’s almost there. He may be there, we’ll find out. See if we can get him to play this week. He’s getting really close.

“If he doesn’t go this week, he certainly has a great chance for next week.”

Ansah could be joined on the field by fellow defensive end and first-round pick, L.J. Collier, who has also recently returned to practice. Collier sprained his ankle early in training camp but is now ready to play if the Seahawks need him.

Seattle has an early start Sunday against the Steelers, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. The inactive list will be released roughly 90 minutes before kickoff.