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Bloggers's Blitz: NFC West

Mike Sando looks at the 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks and Rams

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Bloggers's Blitz: NFC West

RENTON, Wash. -- Seattle Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill is out until at least November.

Coach Jim Mora said Wednesday that further tests on Hill's groin showed more extensive damage than first believed, including a partially torn muscle. Hill will get second opinions on the injury to determine if he needs surgery, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton. The injury is affecting Hill's lower abdomen, Mora said.

Mora says Hill will be out at least until Seattle plays at Dallas on Nov. 1 following its bye week.

"That's a blow," Mora said. "It's disappointing for Leroy and certainly disappointing for this team."

For Hill's teammates, it's more than just "disappointing."

"Oh, man. It's huge," safety Deon Grant said. "It's going to have a big impact on our defense."

Hill was injured during Seattle's 28-0 victory over St. Louis on Sunday. Seattle signed him to a six-year contract worth a guaranteed $15.5 million in the spring. The deal could be worth $38 million.

Will Herring, usually a special-teams player, will make his second career start at outside linebacker Sunday at San Francisco. This week Seattle re-signed recently waived veteran D.D. Lewis to add depth to the position.

"He's not going to know exactly what those [signals and code words] mean right away," Grant said. "But Will will step in and do his job."

The 27-year-old Hill has started 51 career games for the Seahawks during his six-year NFL career.

Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton was used in this report.