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Russell Wilson: 'I'm not going to play scared'

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has always been good at avoiding hits, but this year he's taken some punishment. Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

RENTON, Wash. -- Russell Wilson has been sacked 18 times through four games, tied for most in the NFL.

The conversation at the practice facility all week has been about how the offense can protect him better. But Wilson is trying to do his part too, which means finding a balance between buying time with his legs and getting rid of the ball quickly.

"There’s a happy medium to it," Wilson said. "It depends on where your hot [read] is, who’s open quick and all that kind of stuff. So every play’s different. ... If something breaks down, just try to make a smart decision with it and continue that. And not playing scared. That’s one thing I’m not going to do. I’m not going to play scared."

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell was asked if he's concerned about how much Wilson is getting hit.

"Obviously, yes," he said. "With the sacks that we’re taking, we’re taking sacks at an alarming rate right now. We can improve it. It’s really in a lot of areas. You can’t really pin it on one group, one person. I know there’s a lot of concern with the offensive line, a lot of talk about that, but we can all do better. The quarterbacks in terms of getting the ball out on time, receivers shaking open on time, offensive line protecting them, myself in any way that I can to give us better chances to do all three of those things. We’ll just continue to work at it."

Sunday will be Wilson's 53rd straight start. He's never missed a game in his NFL career.

Even with how often he scrambled in previous years, Wilson has always been good at avoiding big hits. This year, however, he's taken some punishment. Wilson said the hits haven't affected him, and he feels good physically.

"I try to take care of my body," Wilson said. "I feel great today. I feel 100 percent. That’s what you work out for all offseason, get ready for. I should have played tennis then otherwise. I’m expected to get hit every once in awhile. You go in there, and mentally you have to be ready for a physical game, and that’s how we play football."

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Wilson has gained 135 of his 177 rushing yards on scrambles.

"He’s a unique quarterback in his own right," Bevell said. "There’s nobody like him in terms of the throwing game, being able to make guys miss, being able to make plays with his legs, being able to make great decisions when he runs. He just does so many good things. We’re not going to sit here and pick him apart and try to change the way he plays. We love the way he plays. He does a lot of great things for us. When we want the ball out, he usually gets the ball out. Is there going to be a time when something like that happens? Sure there is. But that’s the game we’re going to play."