The Seahawks will be without starting quarterback Sam Darnold for their Week 2 game against the Cardinals, but head coach Mike Macdonald said he's optimistic about Darnold being able to get back in the near future.
"Great," Macdonald said when asked how Darnold is doing. "He's on his way back. Is it next week? Is it the week after? Is it the week after that? I'm not sure, but I'm optimistic."
Darnold is one of two players ruled out for Sunday's game along with safety Ty Okada, who will miss a second straight game with a hamstring injury. Rodney Thomas II was elevated from the practice squad last week and started in Okada's place, a move the Seahawks will presumably make again on Saturday when teams are allowed to elevate players from the practice squad.
"We saw Rodney play great football and that's what it's going to take," Macdonald said. "Whoever's out there, it takes playing great football for us to play great football."
Two more Seahawks are questionable, safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle/hip) and right guard Anthony Bradfor (knee/hip). The Seahawks were without Emmanwori, who had ankle surgery before the start of camp, in their season-opening win over the Patriots, while Bradford started that game and played every snap. Bradford was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday before not practicing on Friday. Emmanwori was limited in practice all week, as was the case last week when he was also listed as questionable.
"He's a doing great job," Macdonald said of Emmanwori. "He's questionable for the game."
Macdonald said Christian Haynes would be the next man up at right guard if Bradford can't play.
On a positive note, receiver Tory Horton does not have a game status, meaning he is good to go. The second-year receiver will be playing in his first game since a shin injury cut short his rookie campaign midway through the season.
"Tory's back," Macdonald said. "Had a great week at practice, excited to see him play. He's worked hard."
Macdonald also gave a positive update on running back Zach Charbonnet, who is currently on the physically unable to perform list. Players on the PUP list have to miss at least four games, but thanks to a rule change this offseason, they can return to practice in Week 3, and Macdonald indicated that Charbonnet, who tore his ACL in Seattle's divisional round win over the 49ers, could indeed be back to practice soon.
"Zach's doing great," Macdonald said. "We're getting down to him possibly finding a date where he can start practicing again. That's coming soon. When that exact date is, we haven't finalized that yet, but it's coming soon."
The Seahawks and Cardinals get set to face off for their first matchup of the season on Sunday, September 20. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Cardinals.
Running back Ron Moore (30) of the Phoenix Cardinals is held to a one yard gain as he is tackled by Cortez Kennedy (96) of the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Washington, Dec. 19, 1993. Watching the play is Joe Wolf (68) of the Cardinals. Phoenix beat Seattle in overtime, 30-27. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Arizona Cardinals Chris Gedney (84) takes in a pass while in the grasp of Seattle Seahawks Fred Thomas (22) and goes for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Sept. 13, 1998 in Seattle. The play went 23 yards but wasnt enough as Seattle won the game 33-14. (AP Photo/Jay Drowns)
Seattle Seahawks' Itula Mili catches a 1-yard pass in the endzone from quarterback Trent Dilfer while Arizona Cardinals' Kwamie Lassiter stands in the background during the second quarter in Seattle Sunday Sept. 15, 2002. AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Arizona Cardinals Defensive End Kyle Vanden Bosch (93) runs during a week 10 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Phoenix, Arizona on November 10, 2002. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 27-6. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Seattle Seahawks' Chike Okeafor (56) strips the ball away from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, right, outruns Arizona Cardinals' Duane Starks on a 23-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, in Seattle. Alexander rushed 30 times for 154 yards with three touchdowns, leading Seattle to a 24-21 win. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin, left, and Kelly Herdon, background right, break up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin during the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson, left, hurries Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) during the second quarter of their football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
FILE Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner loses control of the ball but regains control as he is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Darryl Tapp during the fourth quarter of a football game in Seattle, in this Sept. 17, 2006 file photo. One week after Warner was named NFC offensive player of the week in Arizona's season-opening victory over San Francisco, he was blamed, in part, by his coach for the offense's struggles in Sunday's 21-10 loss at Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Arizona Cardinals' Calvin Pace, rear right, Darnell Dockett, left, and Antonio Smith, center, pursue Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks' Marcus Trufant returns an intercepted pass for an 84-yard touchdown from Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner with Ralph Brown diving after him during the fourth quarter of their football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007. The Seahawks won 42-21. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 16: Running back Maurice Morris #20 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday November 16, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. The Cardinals won the game 26-20. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte) T.J. Duckett
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace (15) throws as Arizona Cardinals' Bertrand Berry (92) pursues during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
From left, Seattle Seahawks? Colin Cole, Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin (81), Seahawks' Aaron Curry (59) and Cardinals' Mike Gandy in action during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Justin Forsett (20) breaks free from Arizona Cardinals linebacker Clark Haggans (53) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks Marcus Trufant, left, and Walter Thurmond, right, tackle Arizona Cardinals Tim Hightower, center, causing a fumble, in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Williams (17) gains yards as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Greg Toler defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks David Hawthorne tackles Arizona Cardinals Todd Heap in the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette, tops makes a touchdown reception over Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marshay Gren, bottom, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) escapes a sack by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Reggie Walker during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012,in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) returns an interception from Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton (19) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) and Rashad Johnson (26) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks' Russell Okung (76) defends against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks' cornerback Richard Sherman, left, runs coverage on Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) breaks the tackle of Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws as Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Rodney Gunter (95) pursues during the first half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Seattle Seahawks' Doug Baldwin (89) runs with the ball as Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson gives chase in the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals, 22-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Seahawks celebrate in the end zone.
Kenneth Walker III crashes into the end zone with a touchdown to cap Seattle's final scoring drive.
Seahawks receiver Jake Bobo goes high in the air to make make the catch, then managed to keep his feet inbounds for a second quarter touchdown.
Seattle's Kenneth Walker III sheds Arizona safety Budda Baker on a long gain in the first half.
Devon Witherspoon after one of his three tackels for loss against the Cardinals.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett tracks the football as he croses into the end zone for a touchdown from quarterback Geno Smith late in the game.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant leaps into the end zone at the end of a pick-six with an homage to former running back Marshawn Lynch, who once struck the same pose as he scored against Arizona.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba finds ample running room up the left side for a 46-yard gain in the second quarter.
Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams acknowledges 12s in the stands in Arizona as the team takes the field.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet stiff arms Arizona's Budda Baker.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV returns an interception in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba catches a long pass from Sam Darnold in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas sacks Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers successfully kicks the game-winning field goal as time ran out.
