The Sports Xchange

RENTON, Wash. — Two games in, the Seattle Seahawks have scored only three touchdowns — one each from their offense, defense and special teams.

The sluggish offense has been the story of the first two games, losses to Denver at home and at Kansas City, especially an offensive line whose daily changes have at times seemed dizzying.

But as the Seahawks prepare for their third preseason game on Saturday at San Diego, they say they are narrowing in on a starting five up front.

Seattle went with a new-look five against the Chiefs that featured former right tackle Justin Britt at left guard, second-year player Garry Gilliam at right tackle and Drew Nowak at center ahead of veteran Lemuel Jeanpierre.

That group worked the entire first half of Seattle’s 14-13 loss at Kansas City, in which the starting offense scored a field goal in four possessions.

But while the numbers might have been underwhelming, Seattle coaches said they liked what they saw and that they might stick with it heading into the season.

“We liked the way that they mixed together, and they have a real chance,” head coach Pete Carroll said on Monday. “So we’ll keep that intact again this week, and we’ll take it one week at a time.”

That doesn’t mean the Seahawks aren’t continuing to explore every possibility.

Seattle brought in veteran guard Evan Mathis for a visit over the weekend and had veteran center Samson Satele in for a workout on Monday.

Neither, though, was signed and it’s unclear if the Seahawks will add any bodies to the group.

Mathis is said to want something close to the $5.5 million he was due to make this season before being released by the Eagles in June. He might take less to play for a contending team like Seattle, but only after seeing what else is out there.

Satele would be a stop-gap veteran who could maybe get into the competition at center.

The shuffling on the line was brought about as the Seahawks continued to search for permanent replacements for left guard James Carpenter (signed with the Jets as a free agent) and center Max Unger (traded to New Orleans as part of the Jimmy Graham deal).

Alvin Bailey was the presumptive starter at left guard entering camp, but wasn’t able to hold onto the job. Nowak and Jeanpierre have battled for the center spot throughout.

Coaches said they like the athleticism of Britt lined up next to the power of Nowak at center.

“It looked really, really good; he’s very physical,” offensive line coach Tom Cable said of Britt at guard. “He adds athleticism inside, power inside. I would say if we can have another great week with this, we’re really moving in the right direction there.”

Notes: Strong safety Kam Chancellor remains a holdout, with his absence reaching 25 days on Monday, and has him in a spot where he could be fined as much as $1 million. “Nothing has changed,” Carroll said Monday when asked about Chancellor and the team is beginning to grapple with the realistic possibility that he could miss the season. Carroll continues to talk up the play of second-year strong safety Dion Bailey, who probably would be the starter if the season began today. DeShawn Shead has also competed there but has also been used at cornerback and could be a better fit for a utility defensive back role again. … Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson probably is out for the rest of the preseason because of an ankle injury sustained against Denver. But the Seahawks expect him to be ready for the regular-season opener, which means the team has no real issue at backup quarterback. Jackson has a guaranteed contract of $1.5 million and quarterback is not a spot Seattle wants to spend additional money on because of the durability of Russell Wilson. No other Seattle quarterback has taken a meaningful snap in three years. … Defensive end Bruce Irvin is undergoing the concussion protocol this week after being injured against the Chiefs. But he came back in to play after being hurt clearing initial tests on the field and the team sounds confident it is not a major issue.

Cornerback Richard Sherman, who sat out against Denver and Kansas City because of a hip flexor injury, is back full go and likely to play against San Diego this week. … Wide receiver Chris Matthews, who sustained a left shoulder sprain against Denver and sat out the Kansas City game, might not be back this week but should be back for the regular season. … Free safety Earl Thomas returned to practice last week but did not play against the Chiefs and probably will not play in the preseason as he continues to rehab from offseason shoulder surgery. But the Seahawks remain confident he will be ready for the beginning of the season.