Asked directly if Jones would play, Macdonald, who earlier in the week indicated that Jones would be able to play, elected to stick with the injury report, saying, “It’s questionable if he’s going to play. He’s progressing; the injury report is what it is. We’ll stick with it right now.”
Seattle’s other player with a game status designation is safety Coby Bryant, who missed last week’s game with a knee injury, and is doubtful for Saturday’s game.
“Coby’s doing well,” Macdonald said. “He’s done as much as he can this week, then we’ll just keep going.”
If Bryant doesn’t play, the most likely outcome with a doubtful designation, then Ty Okada would again start in his place. When it comes to depth, the Seahawks lost safety D’Anthony Bell this week when he was claimed off waivers by the Panthers, so one option could be veteran Quandre Diggs, who signed to the practice squad in November, but has been dealing with a thigh injury (players on the practice squad aren’t listed on the injury report).
Asked if Diggs could play this weekend, Macdonald said, “He could. He’s coming back from his injury as well, so we’re working through that.”
Receiver Rashid Shaheed, who left last week’s game with a concussion, did not have a game status designation, meaning he is ready to play.
“My understanding, it was a good exam right there at the game,” Macdonald said. “So I know he’s confident on where he’s at, feels great, and he’s had a good week. I think he’s in a good spot.”
Macdonald also provided more clarity on rookie receiver Tory Horton, who has been on injured reserve with a shin injury since November. Unfortunately, Horton is unlikely to play again this year.
“We got some clarification on Tory,” Macdonald said. “The best way I can describe it is that what he has, it just takes a long time to heal. Put it this way, we’re planning on not having him, and if something happens, which we’re not counting on, and he’s able to come back, then that’s great. But right now, we’re planning on not having him. He just needs time and rest. It’s unfortunate, but these things happen. We’re with him, he’s doing a great job, we’re just not going to have him right now.
“He should be able to have a full offseason. Who knows how things are going to shake out, how long we go and all that, but right now we’re not planning on having him. But not a long-term concern.”
Aside from Horton and receiver Cody White, who was placed on injured reserve this week due to a groin injury, the other players put on IR this season—running back George Holani, tight end Eljah Arroyo and linebacker Chazz Surratt—all have a chance to return in the playoffs.
“Really all those guys with the exception of Tory and Cody I would say at some point would be capable of coming back,” Macdonald said.
