RENTON, Wash. -- Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday that quarterback Sam Darnold is "on a good track" to play Sunday against the Washington Commanders after missing most of the first two games with a glute injury.
Darnold is practicing Wednesday for the first time since he was hurt early in the season opener. Macdonald said he won't take every practice rep initially, and that his workload will be ramped up as the week progresses.
Does Darnold have to be fully healthy to start?
"I don't know what fully healthy means," Macdonald said. "I think we'll make a decision at some point before Friday's over. I don't think we'd go into the weekend not knowing if he's going to play. But it's on a good track right now, assuming today goes well."
Backup Drew Lock has quarterbacked the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks to a 2-0 record. Since Darnold went down on the fifth play of their 13-10 win over the New England Patriots in Week 1, Lock has completed nearly 73% of his passes with four touchdowns and zero turnovers. His Total QBR of 88.8 in the team's 31-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday was the third-best mark of his career.
Through two games, Lock ranks fourth among all quarterbacks in Total QBR at 85.8.
Macdonald was asked whether Lock's play allows the Seahawks to be more conservative with Darnold's return.
"If it was something where he was at risk of getting worse over the normal risk you take by taking the field, that might be part of the conversation," Macdonald said. "But really it's a function at this point of does he feel good enough to play."
Macdonald said safety Nick Emmanwori will have a "significantly higher" workload this week after playing nine snaps in his season debut in Week 2. Emmanwori missed the opener following July ankle surgery and was listed as having a hip injury last week.
"We'll see how the game unfolds, see how he feels," Macdonald said, "but he'll be out there a good bit."
Seattle placed right guard Anthony Bradford (knee/hip) on injured reserve Wednesday. Macdonald said he won't be sidelined long term. In a corresponding move, the Seahawks signed safety Rodney Thomas II off their practice squad. He started the first two games while Ty Okada (hamstring) was out.
