SEATTLE -- Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Trent Dilfer sprained his right knee in the team's exhibition opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night.

	Dilfer

It was not immediately known how long Dilfer will be sidelined for the Seahawks, whose next game is Friday night in San Diego.

Coach Mike Holmgren said he expected Dilfer to have an MRI test Saturday night.

"Look, he hurt his knee,'' Holmgren said. "I will be more than happy to tell you what's wrong with it tomorrow.''

Dilfer issued a statement through the team.

"Whatever the outcome, I know I can handle it,'' he said.

Running back Shaun Alexander said Dilfer was mentally strong.

"Trent's tough,'' he said. "He'll heal faster than anybody else. He's just great. He'll be all right.''

Playing in his third series against the Colts, Dilfer was hit by defensive tackle James Cannida and defensive end Chad Bratzke as he attempted a pass to Koren Robinson with 2:02 gone in the second quarter.

Dilfer was helped off the field and then taken by a cart to the Seahawks' locker room.

Dilfer, given Seattle's No. 1 quarterback job during the offseason, threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to James Williams in the first quarter.

The Seahawks led 10-0 when Dilfer left and was replaced by Matt Hasselbeck.

Rookies Jeff Kelly and Ryan Van Dyke are competing at the Seahawks' training camp for the third-string quarterback's job behind Dilfer and Hasselbeck.

The Seahawks might be in the market for a veteran quarterback if Dilfer is lost for any length of time. Hasselbeck would be the starter in that case.

"We've got to see how No. 2 and No. 3 are if Trent is out for a while,'' Holmgren said.

The Seahawks had a number of other injuries in the game. Williams and fullback Mack Strong sprained ankles, linebacker Chad Brown sustained a concussion and rookie cornerback Keith Johnson suffered a probable dislocated shoulder.