The second-year cornerback had a 58-yard interception return in the second quarter to set up the Seahawks' first touchdown and a 56-yard kickoff return in the third quarter that - in a roundabout way - led to their second touchdown.

Unfortunately for Wilson, the Seahawks found a way to waste his big plays in falling to the Arizona Cardinals 26-20 at Qwest Field.

"I just broke on the ball," Wilson said of his second interception of the season, which ties him with strong safety Deon Grant for the team lead.

Wilson was in zone coverage and matched against former Seahawks receiver Jerheme Urban. When Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner looked that way, Wilson did the rest. He left Urban and went for the ball.

"The receiver doesn't really matter once the ball is in the air," Wilson said.

The Seahawks lost some yardage on Wilson's kickoff return because linebacker Lance Laury was penalized for unnecessary roughness on the play. The Seahawks then lost the ball, as Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby intercepted a Matt Hasselbeck pass in the end zone.

But tight end John Carlson forced Dansby to fumble and left tackle Walter Jones recovered at the Arizona 11-yard line. Five plays later, T.J. Duckett scored on a 1-yard run.

"I think he's taken a huge step," coach Mike Holmgren said of Wilson's improved play. "He has gotten to play, he's our starting cornerback now. Last year, he played in situations. That itself is a huge jump.

"Then, he has become a very, very good return man."

Wilson's latest long return pushed his season average to 25.8 yards on 40 kickoff returns.

Are the Seahawks asking too much of him?

"Any time you get a chance to play you've got to take care of that opportunity," he said. "I have fun (returning kicks). I love doing it, and if it helps this team I'm going to do it."

TRUFANT KO'D: Cornerback Marcus Trufant was knocked out of the game with a concussion in the third quarter. He is scheduled to undergo additional tests Monday that will determine his status for this week's game against the Washington Redskins .

After Trufant went out, Kelly Jennings took over at left cornerback and Kevin Hobbs was pushed into action in the dime defense.

WAHLE GOES DOWN: The Seahawks also lost left guard Mike Wahle to a shoulder injury in the second quarter. That forced Floyd Womack to slide from right guard to left, with Ray Willis taking over on the right side.

"It's a shoulder that he had repaired once already," Holmgren said of Wahle's injury. "So they're going to work him up (Monday), and we'll know more about that (Monday) afternoon)."

BRANCHING OUT: Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch started and finished a game for the first time since Week 16 last season. He responded with a team-high four receptions for 54 yards.

"I feel pretty good," he said. "My legs are all right."

Branch was sidelined at the start of the season because he had reconstructive knee surgery in February. He returned for the Week 5 loss to the Giants, only to bruise his right heel and not finish the game. He had missed the past five games.

During pregame introductions, Branch emerged from the tunnel - without his helmet - dropped to one knee and spread his arms as he looked skyward.

"That's the norm," he said. "I do that every game, even without being announced. There are so many people who watch this game, so many guys have played the game before me, who are counting on myself and my teammates.

"I can't stop loving the game."

GOALS GROUNDED: At 2-8 and six games remaining, Holmgren said he would give it some thought Sunday night and then talk to his players about reassessing their goals for the season.

"Now our goals have changed," he said. "We came into the season with very high expectations, it has been a difficult season.

"I just told (the players) that it is very important - it will be important to them not only this season but in future Seahawk seasons, and really after they finish playing - how they approach the last part of this year."

DUCKETT, TIMES TWO: With two more touchdowns, Duckett has six to lead the club. He has 113 yards on 44 carries, but also those six scores - which have come on runs of 1, 2, 1, 4, 1 and 1 yards.

HAWK TALK: The Seahawks offense scored more than 17 points for only the fourth time this season, and all have come against NFC West opponents. ... Rookie safety Jamar Adams was signed off the practice squad Saturday because safety C.J. Wallace was not able to play because of a strained calf. Tight end Jeb Putzier was released to clear a roster spot for Adams. ... Wilson had a team-high 10 tackles, one off his career high from the Week 5 game against the Giants. Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu had nine tackles. ... The Seahawks introduced their offense before kickoff and rookie fullback Owen Schmitt responded by coming out of the tunnel and smacking himself in the forehead three times with his helmet. Schmitt started because Leonard Weaver was inactive after bruising ribs in last week's loss to the Dolphins. ... Former Seahawks running back Ricky Watters raised the 12th Man flag.