AP

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, July 25, 2008

SEATTLE - Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck says a doctor has not cleared him to play because of a "dead leg" feeling caused by a bulging disk in his back.

Hasselbeck told KIRO Radio on Tuesday that he failed tests performed by a doctor in Los Angeles, including being able to walk on his heels.

"I can't pass the walk-on-your-heels test - just got a weakness in my leg," he said. "Because of the disc issue in my back that nerve is shutting off the muscles that are supposed to work in your leg."

He said he'll continue to work on strength and conditioning exercises and take another round of tests soon.

"I'm confident I'll get better."

Hasselbeck said there's no pain in his back or right leg, just the "dead leg" feeling. He said he was told he does not need surgery.

"Most of it is just frustration, mental and trying to stay positive, and just realizing, hey, it's going to be all right," he told KIRO. "There are far worse things."

It appears Hasselbeck will miss his fourth consecutive game when the 2-5 Seahawks play the 4-3 Eagles Sunday in Seattle.

Backup Seneca Wallace is preparing for another start. He completed 15 of 25 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown and did not turn the ball over in a 34-13 win over the 49ers Sunday. A week earlier, he went 12-for-23 for just 73 yards with an interception in a loss at Tampa Bay.

Hasselbeck has been out since hyperextending his knee Oct. 5 and continuing to play two more quarters in the 44-6 loss at the New York Giants.