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Mike Macdonald 'Optimistic' Quarterback Sam Darnold Will Play On Saturday

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said Sam Darnold, who injured his oblique on Thursday, is “optimistic” to play vs. the 49ers on Saturday. 

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On Thursday, the Seahawks listed Sam Darnold as questionable for the game on Saturday after the quarterback injured his oblique during practice. Darnold said there was, "closer to zero" chance that he doesn't play.

Head coach Mike Macdonald spoke to the media on Friday and said, "Really optimistic he's going to be able to play and right now we're going through all the protocol. One, just out of caution to make sure we're ready to go and we'll test it out tomorrow to kind of make the final decision. But again, we're optimistic he's going to play and if he doesn't or at some point he doesn't, then Drew's (Lock) ready to go and that's why Drew's here. He's doing a great job. So, we're rolling."

Macdonald said Darnold is feeling better today.

"I mean, you talk to him, he's confident that he's going to be able to play, so we feel the same way."

Asked if there was a chance the injury could limit Darnold on Saturday, Macdonald said, "I think right now, he's confident that he's going to be able to go do his thing at 100 percent and we are too, but with these things, something could change between now and then or something can happen in game. So, kind of just have to roll with it."

He added, "I don't think we would put him out there if he couldn't do his job. He's going to be able to go do his job."

Other players who were dealing with injuries and illness this week are all good to go.

Macdonald said Charles Cross, who was on the injury report with a knee and hamstring, "Just kind of got tangled up a little bit in practice and so we're working through it, but he's good to go. It's more of a precautionary thing than anything."

On Riq Woolen, Macdonald said, "He's just working through the oblique and again, we had a plan for it and he's done a great job. Worked his tail off over the weekend and he's ready to go."

And Ernest Jones IV who was sick earlier in the week is "better."

"He was able to do a majority yesterday and did all today and looks a lot better than he looked the other day," Macdonald said.

Offensive lineman Josh Jones, tight end Elijah Arroyo and linebacker Chazz Surratt were all ruled out on Thursday.

Macdonald said they did not activate Arroyo or Surratt, who both had the chance to be added to the 53-man roster after returning to practice from injured reserve, because "It's some roster things, a little bit more, just how we want to manage it."

He added, "Just making sure we're deep enough at certain spots. So, guys have done a great job. They're ready to go if need be but just couldn't work out this week."

Check out photos of the Seahawks 53-man active roster for the 2025 season.

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