Seahawks remaining positive that Sam Darnold will play against 49ers

Sam Darnold might be OK after all.

Just one day after Darnold’s name surprisingly appeared on the Seahawks’ injury report, head coach Mike Macdonald remains “really optimistic” that his quarterback will be healthy for Saturday’s NFC divisional round playoff matchup against the 49ers.

“Talking about Sam, I heard what he said yesterday to you guys; I see it the same way,” Macdonald told reporters Friday. “We’re listing him as questionable. Really optimistic he’s going to be able to play. Right now we’re going through all the protocol … just out of caution to make sure we’re ready to go.

“We’ll test it out tomorrow and kind of make the final decision, but again, we’re optimistic he’s going to play.”

However, Macdonald did allude to the possibility of Darnold missing the game, saying that backup QB Drew Lock will be ready if needed.

“If he doesn’t, or at some point he doesn’t, then [Drew Lock is] ready to go, and that’s why Drew’s here. He’s doing a great job,” he added.

On Thursday, it was revealed that Darnold had an oblique injury and was listed as questionable for the game, with the 28-year-old telling reporters that he “felt a little something” during practice. He remained confident that he would not miss any time.

“[I] just kind of felt a little something in my oblique [and] just didn’t want to push it,’’ Darnold told reporters Thursday. “It wasn’t the day to push it, so that was it. So, [I] just came inside, got some rehab and feel like I’ll be ready to go for Saturday.”

During the Seahawks’ walk-through on Friday, Darnold and Lock were walking through plays on the field, but the two-time Pro Bowler was seen only making underhand throws.

Macdonald also said Darnold felt physically better on Friday compared to the day prior.

“Yeah, he says he feels better,” Macdonald said. “But you talked to him. He’s confident that he’s going to be able to play. We feel the same way.”

Darnold, who threw for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns through 17 games this season in Seattle, is still searching for his first playoff victory, with the ex-Jet losing his first career postseason game last season as a member of the Vikings.