JERSEY CITY, N.J. – About midseason, when Percy Harvin began making his comeback to the Seahawks, coach Pete Carroll jokingly began to refer to the receiver as being in various “phases” of his return.

So Carroll took it to its next logical step Monday when asked about Harvin.

“Yeah, we’re in a phase of Super Bowl right now,’’ Carroll said.

And that means to expect Harvin to play, and probably a lot, likely similar to his role in the divisional playoff game against the Saints before he suffered a concussion that held him out of the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers.

“He’s in,’’ Carroll said. “He had another great day (of practice) today (Monday) and a great week last week. He’s part of the game plan.”

Harvin played 19 snaps against the Saints before being injured late in the second quarter, catching three passes for 21 yards and also getting one carry for 9 yards.

And that came despite leaving the game briefly in the first quarter to be examined for a concussion before having to leave the game in the second quarter when he was diagnosed with a concussion.

Fellow receiver Golden Tate said there’s no questioning the potentially big impact Harvin could have on the Super Bowl.

“I think it’s huge,’’ Tate said. “I really admire the way he plays the game. He’s had some tough breaks this year, but at the end of the day he’s had a positive attitude, staying positive. He’s ready to go. I’m excited to have him back on the field. He brings another whole dimension to this offense and to special teams.’’

Bennett hoping to stay in Seattle

The contract defensive lineman Michael Bennett signed for this season — $5 million for one year — looked like a good deal for Seattle at the time. But it has only gotten better as Bennett had a breakout season. He ended up leading Seattle in sacks with 8.5 and has another 1.5 in the playoffs.

Signing a one-year deal, though, means Bennett will be a free agent, and he could be one of the more attractive players on the market.

Bennett was asked about his future several times during his session with reporters Monday during Seattle’s media availability at its team hotel and consistently said he’d like to remain with the Seahawks.

“I would love to stay in Seattle,” he said. “I love everything about the players, the coaches and the fans.”

Asked if he thinks about the lure of free agency much, he said: “I don’t think about the money because it’s not in my account,’’ he said with a laugh. “You do want longterm deals, but I don’t think about it as much as some people think I think about it. I think about winning the game. I’m taking it one game at a time, taking care of this moment and playing for this team.”

Okung not bothered by history

A much-asked question is whether it will matter that Seattle doesn’t have a player on its roster who has played in the Super Bowl before (receiver Ricardo Lockette was on the practice squad with the 49ers last season).

Seattle players have consistently said it won’t matter, with left tackle Russell Okung addressing it this way when asked about the Seahawks’ lack of Super Bowl history: “It would bother me if history won games. But history doesn’t win games. People do on the field.’’

Carroll favors exploring marijuana’s medicinal value

Carroll said he thinks it’s worth exploring marijuana’s possible medicinal value for NFL players but also said he hasn’t developed a definitive stance on the topic.

“We have to continue to explore and compete to find ways that are going to make our game a better game and take care of our players in the best way possible,’’ he said. “The fact that it’s in the world of medicine is obviously something the commissioner (Roger Goodell) realizes and him making the expression that we need to follow the information and the research, absolutely I’m in support of. Regardless of what other stigmas may be involved, I think we have to do this because the world of medicine is trying to do the exact same thing and figure it out and they’re coming to some conclusions. I can only speak for our coaches and we haven’t debated the thought yet.”

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @bcondotta.