Seattle, WA (My Sportsbook) - Seattle Seahawks center Chris Spencer will likely miss the start of the regular season because of a thigh injury.

Spencer was hurt during Saturday's preseason game against Denver and left the field on a cart. He underwent tests on Sunday.

Seahawks head coach Jim Mora said Spencer suffered a tear in his quadriceps muscle and is expected to be sidelined for the first couple of regular-season games.

"I don't want to put a time table on it," said Mora. "But he won't be back soon. Hopefully sooner rather than later, but it's not going to be two weeks, it's going to be into the season. Absolutely going to be into the season. I shouldn't say 'absolutely,' because he might defy the odds, but as we sit here today, it appears that he's not going to be ready for the start of the season."

Spencer missed the final five games of the 2008 season because of a herniated disc in his back. He had started 35 straight games for the Seahawks before going on injured reserve in December.

Seattle selected Spencer with the 26th overall pick in the 2005 draft. The Ole Miss product has played in 50 career games with 40 starts.