The Seattle Seahawks are moving closer to getting Sam Darnold back on the field. But head coach Mike Macdonald is not ready to say whether the quarterback will play in Week 3.

Macdonald said Darnold will return to practice this week as he continues recovering from the glute injury he suffered in Seattle's Week 1 win over the New England Patriots. The Seahawks will use the practices to determine whether Darnold can handle enough work to face the Washington Commanders.

“We're optimistic, we'll see. I think there's a chance he comes back and practices at some point (this week). The timetable has shifted quite drastically, frankly, in what is it, 10 days or whatever. So we've got three more days, 30 percent of that time, to kind of see where it's going between now and Wednesday,” Macdonald said.

That approach leaves Darnold's status uncertain for Sunday. Seattle can increase his workload during the week, but how his glute responds will ultimately determine whether he has a realistic chance to return against Washington.

Darnold suffered the injury just five snaps into the season opener and did not return. The Seahawks also kept him out of their Week 2 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, giving him additional time to recover rather than pushing him back before he was ready.

Drew Lock started in Darnold's place against Arizona, while Jalen Milroe served as the other quarterback option. Lock's experience gives Seattle a reliable alternative if Darnold needs more recovery time, meaning the Seahawks do not have to force their starter back for one game.

Seattle will now monitor Darnold's work throughout the week before making a final decision. The Seahawks travel to Washington for their Week 3 matchup, followed by a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4.