After a feel-good Wednesday press conference in which both head coach Mike Macdonald and quarterback Sam Darnold stated that while his practice participation for the week would be limited, it will be all systems go on Sunday.
“Yeah, Sam (Darnold) continues to get better. He’s not going to be a full-go the whole week, but we have a plan; we’re going to work through it; see how the day goes; then kind of take it day by day and take it to tomorrow,’ said Macdonald. “ But he won’t be like throwing every ball every play for the whole week, no.”
Darnold followed Macdonald at the podium and,, like his coach was beaming with confidence that he would be ready for Sunday’s NFC Championship game.
“ So like always, we’re really excited about this opportunity to play these guys. Just got to have a really good week of practice. For me, I got to continue to attack all the things that I need to attack,” said Darnold. “ You know, just get ready like I said to play these guys, but also just getting my body right, getting my body right to be ready for Sunday.” There were plenty of feel-good vibes after the two had answered their questions and seemed well.
POST PRACTICE BOMBSHELL
After the teams’ practice, the Seahawks released the injury report, and it turned out to be the proverbial bomb shell. All of the Seahawks’ left tackles, Charles Cross ( foot), Josh Jones ( knee, ankle), and Amari Kight (knee), were listed as non-practice participants. Cross started the first 14 games of the season, then missed the last three regular-season games against the Rams, Panthers, and Niners due to a hamstring injury.
The four-year veteran returned last Saturday and logged 36 of the Seahawks’ 53 offensive snaps. Amari Kight replaced Cross in the fourth quarter and recorded 17 offensive starts. After the win over the Niners, Macdonald was asked about Kight finishing the game for Cross.
“ Charles (Cross) was really out of a caution. We were in a position where we didn’t need him to come back, but still, we’re going to have to work through it with his foot. I don’t indicate what that’s going to look like,’ said Macdonald.
Cross’s participation in the Wednesday walkthrough is a positive sign, given that there are several days before the team designates Cross’s game status.
JONES AND KIGHT COULD FEATURE
If Cross is unable to play, the next man up, if healthy, would be Jones. Those are a couple of big ifs, especially the latter, but it was Jones who started the last three regular-season games for Cross. The former Raven showed he is more than an adequate backup. Kight was signed to the active roster in December, and the rookie saw action in the last three regular-season games before his 17 snaps on Saturday. The other tackle on the Seahawks’ active roster is rookie Mason Richman. The seventh-round draft pick has not played in a game, so it is doubtful that Richman’s first start of the season would be in the Sunday NFC Championship game.
THE BIG PICTURE
The truth is, it is too early to tell how the left tackle mini-crisis will play out. One would guess that the team is being very cautious with Cross, with the hope he will be ready for Sunday’s game. The team placed running back George Holani on the designated practice list.
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