The Seattle Seahawks will look to keep pace in the NFC West race when they visit the Washington Commanders for a Sunday night matchup.
Seattle (5-2) has won two straight and comes out of its bye tied with the Los Angeles Rams atop the division, a half-game ahead of the San Francisco 49ers.
"We're doing a lot of great things in terms of finishing plays, and there's more to be had in really all three phases," Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday. "The best way I can explain it is, I'm excited about where we are and where we can go."
The Commanders (3-5) have lost three straight as they were unable to follow up on a 7-7 first half against the Kansas City Chiefs in a 28-7 road loss Monday night. They trail the Philadelphia Eagles by three games in the NFC East and are facing what could be called a must-win game with the Detroit Lions visiting next week.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels (right hamstring) will return to face the Seahawks after missing one game. He was a full participant in practice all week.
"Jayden will be back and we're all pumped for that," Washington coach Dan Quinn said Friday. "He's just got a unique way about him, elevates the others as we're going through things. It's hard to defend -- two plays that could take place, he gets outside, running and passing. So, really pumped to have him back."
The news was not good regarding Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin. He returned from a four-game absence to oppose the Chiefs and made three catches, including a toe-tap touchdown, but left after reinjuring his right quad and won't play Sunday.
"We'll re-evaluate it next week to see where it goes," Quinn said. "Bummed for him. Bummed for us. (It's) just tough."
Kicker Matt Gay (back) returned to full practice Friday after he was sidelined Wednesday and is set to play at Seattle. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil (hamstring) is questionable after he was limited all week. Defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (ankle) and tight end John Bates (ankle) are both questionable as well.
After intercepting Patrick Mahomes twice in the first half Monday night, Washington's defense gave up touchdowns on three consecutive second-half drives.
"Arrow going up and we've still got a lot of our story to write on defense," Quinn said. "I thought the tackling and the tracking were better. ... Created some takeaways. I thought that was a big piece for us in terms of stepping in the right direction."
Washington had only three takeaways entering Monday night.
The Commanders' defense -- including former Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner -- is allowing 372.8 yards per game (27th in the NFL) and will be facing an 11th-ranked Seattle offense that is gaining 350.6 yards per game.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is coming off arguably his worst game of the season, as he completed 17 of 31 passes for 213 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a win over the Houston Texans. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is averaging eight catches for 139 yards and a touchdown over his past three games.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers has converted 13 of 17 field-goal attempts, including 4 of 6 from 50-plus yards. Gay has hit 10 of 14, including 4 of 7 from 50-plus.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee) is set to play for the first time since Sept. 25 after practicing fully all week, while outside linebacker Derick Hall (oblique) is set to play for the first time since Oct. 5. Wide receiver/kick returner Dareke Young (quad) will miss this week's game. The Seahawks signed former Bears, Falcons and Saints receiver/kick returner Velus Jones Jr. to the practice squad.
Safety Julian Love (hamstring), tight end Eric Saubert (calf), guard Christian Haynes (pectoral) and receiver Jake Bobo (Achilles) will also miss this week's game against Washington. Receiver Cooper Kupp (heel/hamstring) is questionable after his participation scaled down over the week and he sat out of Friday's practice. Defensive tackle Jarran Reed (wrist) is also questionable but did practice fully on Friday for the first time this week.
The Seahawks won the teams' most recent meeting 29-26 on a Myers field goal as time expired in Seattle on Nov. 12, 2023.
--Field Level Media