QB Sam Darnold back Sunday, but Seahawks down two safeties - ESPN

RENTON, Wash. — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold will start Sunday against the Washington Commanders, but the defending Super Bowl champions will be without both starting safeties as Julian Love and Ty Okada have been ruled out.

Backup defensive tackle Brandon Pili (concussion/neck) is questionable. No other Seahawks player has a game designation.

Darnold missed most of the first two games with a glute injury he suffered early in the season opener. He was limited Wednesday in his return to practice and a full participant Thursday and Friday. Coach Mike Macdonald said Friday that Darnold looked «really good» this week.

«Sam's going to play, and he's ready to go,» Macdonald said. «He's done a great job.»

Speaking with reporters Thursday, Darnold said he briefly feared that his season might be over — and that his career could be impacted long term — when he was hurt on the fifth play of Seattle's win over the New England Patriots in Week 1. After backup Drew Lock led Seattle to a 31-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals last week and a 2-0 start, Macdonald said Darnold's timetable had «shifted quite drastically» for the better.

Macdonald was asked Friday what he needed to see from Darnold this week.

«Really just to see him confident in the things that he's been doing,» Macdonald said. «He's been really positive and says he feels great. He looks great, so we'll rolling. It's a medical miracle he's back.»

Rodney Thomas II will make his third straight start for Okada, who remains out with a hamstring injury. Macdonald said AJ Finley will start for Love, who popped up on the injury report as a nonparticipant Thursday when a calf tightened up. Love was again a nonparticipant Friday. Macdonald said he doesn't know how much