Last season, the Seahawks played the final month without two of their top three cornerbacks, and the replacements were better than OK.

The Seahawks find themselves in a similar situation this year, only a bit earlier and without the benefit of the replacements knowing the defense as well.

Pete Carroll reiterated on Wednesday that Marcus Burley, acquired Aug. 30 from Indianapolis, will take over the nickel cornerback position that opened up with injuries to Jeremy Lane and Tharold Simon, and newly signed Josh Thomas will be the No. 4 cornerback.

“We’re hoping that Marcus will take over that (nickel) spot,” the coach said. “It’s a spot that he’s familiar with. He did a nice job coming in the game (against Green Bay) in short time. … We’re looking for Marcus to do a real nice job and take that spot over.”

Carroll said Thomas “is really an outside guy for us” and the versatile DeShawn Shead “is a valuable guy” who can play safety and inside and outside at corner, although it is clear the Seahawks are counting on Burley as the No. 3 corner.

Carroll said Burley played well in the preseason with Indianapolis, who traded the second-year player to Seattle for a sixth-round pick in 2015.

“You could really see him do the things we needed to see inside as a nickel guy and outside covering,” Carroll said. “He tackled really well and he was really effective on special teams. He was an aggressive special-teams player that looked like he would fit in with our guys.

“As we’ve learned more about him, we realized that he’s a real serious competitor, a real bright kid that wants to learn, and he’s real eager, so he’ll jump right at it.”

Richard Sherman, Seattle’s All-Pro cornerback, said Burley “did a great job at the end last game against a very tough quarterback (Aaron Rodgers), a very tough team, tough assignments walking in there to Randall Cobb being your first live action. I think he did an admirable job, and I think he will do well in his spot for now.”

Sherman said Burley “plays sound football. He’s scrappy. … He plays with no fear. At the corner and the nickel, when you play with this defense, that’s how you have to play.”

Simon (knee surgery) is expected back in four weeks, and Carroll said Lane (groin) should be ready when he is eligible to come off injured reserve in eight weeks.

“We’re challenged by the depth situation,” Carroll admitted. “We really were counting on Tharold Simon to be there and battling for us. We’ve taken a blow with Jeremy’s injury. … The cool thing is that both of these guys have a chance to get back. They’ll come back to us later on in the year, and our depth will feel a lot different.

“In the meantime, we have to work real hard. Coach Kris (Richard) and coach Rocky (Seto) will do a good job of catching these guys up. We feel like we can help these guys and they can fit in our system, and that’s why they’re here. … We have to put it together in a hurry.”

The only players other than Simon not to practice Wednesday were linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis and running back Christine Michael — both out with hamstring injuries. Tight end Cooper Helfet (knee) was a limited participant.

Carroll said Michael ran well Tuesday and would return to practice Thursday with the hope of playing Sunday in San Diego.

“We’ll just go day to day with it,” Carroll said, “but I just talked to him and he feels really good. He’s excited that he’s got a chance to get back. If he makes it back this week, that will be really good. For sure, he should have a great chance for the following week.”

In other roster news, per The News Tribune, the Seahawks reached an injury settlement with backup center Lemuel Jeanpierre, who was on injured reserve with a nerve problem in his neck. He becomes a free agent, able to sign with any team except Seattle once he is healthy. The Hawks will save some of his $950,000 salary.