The Seahawks kick off the regular season on Sunday when they host the 49ers, marking the start of their second season under head coach Mike Macdonald.

Macdonald heads into Year 2 on the job both proud of the progress his team has made and also feeling like there is always room to grow.

"There's an interesting balance of being really proud of the work that we've done and the growth we've had on our team that we felt like we've had, and the balance of the sense of urgency to keep going, and understand that we're not there yet," he said. "We'll never be there if we do it the right way, but I feel like the guys have great spirit, I'm really proud of the connection we've built within our team. But it's one of those things where we're always going to be chasing. It's kind of like, the joy in is in the process and in the journey; the destination will take care of itself."

Here are five takeaways from Monday's press conference:

1. "Everything is going according to plan with" Kenneth Walker III heading into the start of the season.

Because the Seahawks don't have to put out an injury report until Wednesday, Macdonald did not address any injury questions on Monday, but he did give an encouraging update on running back Kenneth Walker III, who was limited for much of training camp by a foot injury. Walker started getting into a more regular practice cadence the week leading up to Seattle's third preseason game in Green Bay, including a heavy workload in the joint practice with the Packers, and as Macdonald put it on Monday, "Everything is going according to plan right now" with Seattle's starting back.

2. Seattle's guard depth includes its starting center.

Macdonald named his team's starting offensive line last week, with Jalen Sundell winning the competition at center and Anthony Bradford winning the job at right guard. The depth behind Bradford and left guard Grey Zabel took a hit, however, with Christian Haynes going on injured reserve last week, and when Macdonald was asked about that guard depth, he noted "we've got some young guys ready to step in" but also said the next man up should the Seahawks need to replace a guard is actually center Olu Oluwatimi. In that scenario, Oluwatimi would take over at center, moving Sundell to guard.

"Olu's probably the next guy in the game, Jalen would go to guard, is the plan right now," Macdonald said.

3. The Seahawks know Marquez Valdes-Scantling will probably have some useful information for his new team.

As the 49ers prepare for their Week 1 game in Seattle, they will probably try to get a little extra insight into the Seahawks' offense by picking the brain of receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who spent the offseason and training camp with the Seahawks before being released last week and subsequently signed to San Francisco's practice squad. The Seahawks know that Valdes-Scantling will probably have some useful information to share, but as often as players change teams in the NFL, it's hardly a unique or new challenge as they get ready for the game.

"Look, he's a really smart player, he's probably going to give them information," Macdonald said. "That stuff happens all the time. Some things you can take into account, some things, you've just got to call it and haul it."

4. Newcomers Derion Kendrick and Chazz Surratt are picking up the defense quickly.

The Seahawks added a pair of players to their defense last week, claiming cornerback Derion Kendrick off waivers and signing linebacker Chazz Surratt. Both players have a lot of catching up to do, but Macdonald likes what he has seen so far.

"They've done a great job," Macdonald said. "Got more reps today, so picking things up. It's going to take them a minute to figure out all the small details and stuff, but the guys are going out there, competing, playing fast. They're great guys to be around, so I'm happy they're here."

5. Rookie receiver Tory Horton is "in a great spot" despite time missed.

Rookie receiver Tory Horton used a strong camp to work his way up to being the team's third receiver behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, but an ankle injury in the second preseason game caused him to miss some time. Horton was back on the practice field late last week, Macdonald said Thursday, and is doing well getting ready for the season despite that time he missed.

"Tory has done a great job," Macdonald said. "He's on it. I feel like he's in a great spot, mentally. He hasn't had a lot of game experience yet, so my recommendation to him is just go out there and do all the things you're doing in practice. But he's on it, he's doing a great job."

Horton is one of several players competing for roles as punt and kick returners, though the Seahawks don't plan to make their plans known at those spots until gameday, Macdonald said.

"We'll kind of let everybody know on Sunday," he said.