The Seattle Seahawks will not have starting left tackle Charles Cross for Saturday’s Week 18 NFC West and No. 1 seed title decider against the San Francisco 49ers, marking his third consecutive missed game due to a hamstring injury. Luckily, whether the Seahawks gets a first-round bye or not, it looks as if his return is imminent.
Speaking at his media availability session before the team’s flight to Santa Clara, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald indicated that Cross should be ready to return for the postseason.
“We’re optimistic for next week or the week after for Charles (Cross),” Macdonald said. “These guys have done a great job getting back and working, but obviously Charles isn’t going to make it this week.”
A Seahawks win means Cross wouldn’t have to come back until the NFC Divisional Round in two weeks, whereas a loss would mean playing next week in the Wild Card against either the Carolina Panthers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Macdonald was predictably coy regarding backup tackle Josh Jones’ availability for the 49ers game. Jones was listed as questionable with ankle and knee injuries, and his only practice this week was as a limited participant on Thursday.
“It’s questionable if he’s going to play,” Macdonald said. “He’s progressing; the injury report is what it is. We’ll stick with it right now.”
If Jones can’t go, undrafted rookie Amari Kight would slot in as the left tackle.
