Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters Friday he’s “really optimistic” that Sam Darnold will suit up for Saturday’s divisional showdown against the San Francisco 49ers despite a fresh left‑oblique strain. Darnold left practice after feeling the twinge, but says his chance of missing the game is “very low.”

Backup quarterback Drew Lock, a seventh‑year veteran with a 10‑18 record, remains ready if Darnold falters, while rookie Jalen Milroe sits as the emergency third option. Seattle also lists tight end Elijah Arroyo, linebacker Chazz Surratt and tackle Josh Jones as inactive, but expects left tackle Charles Cross and safety Coby Bryant to return after short injury spells.

The Seahawks earned home‑field advantage by clinching the NFC West with a Week 18 victory at Levi’s Stadium, a game Darnold described as “like a playoff” after posting a Pro Bowl‑caliber season (4,048 yards, 25 TDs). A win this weekend would cement Seattle’s top seed and set up a potential rematch with a 49ers squad that has dominated the conference.