AP

Seattle Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram, left, and Jacksonville Jaguars defender, Rashean Mathis, right, battle for a second-quarter pass, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won 26-14.

KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Bobby Engram's heart finally has slowed. So now he can gradually get back up to Seahawks' speed.

Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday that Engram's latest blood tests have finally convinced doctors that he can play again. The team's leading receiver last season hasn't played since Oct. 1, just before a virus and Graves' disease caused a thyroid condition, an accelerated heart rate, debilitating fatigue and weight loss.

"His numbers are finally where they are supposed to be. Bless his heart," Holmgren said.

"Now, he has to tell me how he feels. He has to in his own mind, I think, feel like he can contribute and really go like he's used to going.

"So there's light at the end of the tunnel."

Holmgren stopped short of saying Engram, an 11th-year veteran, will play Sunday at Arizona.

"That might be a little bit of a stretch," Holmgren said. "But we are going to get him back pretty soon."

The 5-foot-10, 188-pound Engram has missed the last eight games and at one point had lost 8 pounds. He is slowly regaining the weight.

For weeks, various medications failed to slow Engram's heart rate. But doctors recently found the right combination of beta blocker drugs that didn't leave him exhausted.

Holmgren said Engram is no longer taking the medication. Engram has politely declined to speak publicly about his ordeal until he begins playing again.

"His heart rate is back to where it should be, and that's a major concern during this thing," Holmgren said. "So it's all good. Now he just kind of has to build up his endurance again."

Holmgren's next concern will be fitting Engram back into a crowded receiving corps. Darrell Jackson, the league's leader with nine touchdown receptions, is starting with former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. Nate Burleson has been emerging lately. And D.J. Hackett has done well in Engram's slot receiver role since Engram has been out.

"I think that's the question of the hour, I suppose. I haven't given it enough thought yet. You can't have them all up, all the receivers. So there are some decisions to make that way.

"But at the same time, Bobby's been an excellent player for us, and when he is healthy he will be an excellent player for us. I don't know how I am going to do that yet."