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Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald offered a day-to-day update on several banged-up offensive linemen, including a notable note that swing tackle Josh Jones is “a candidate” to return to practice this week ahead of the NFC Championship against the Los Angeles Rams. While Macdonald didn’t fully clear anyone, the tone was familiar for this time of year: Seattle will take Wednesday as the first real measuring stick, then adjust from there. View this post on Instagram Mike Macdonald Says Josh Jones Is “a Candidate” to Practice This Week View this post on Instagram The clearest offensive line note came when Macdonald was asked directly whether Jones could get back on the field.“Josh is a candidate to come back this week,” Macdonald said, adding that the team will have to see what he looks like on Wednesday. If Jones isn’t ready, Macdonald suggested Seattle will have to move further down the depth chart.That “candidate” phrasing matters because it keeps the door open without promising anything. It also signals that Seattle is preparing contingency plans right now, which usually means the coaching staff thinks it’s possible they won’t have their ideal group.Seahawks Also Monitoring Charles Cross’ StatusMacdonald also got a brief follow-up question on left tackle Charles Cross.“Does Charles need to… you need to see him practice to play?” a reporter asked.Macdonald responded: “I wouldn’t say necessarily.”That doesn’t guarantee Cross is in the clear, but it’s a notable tell: Seattle isn’t automatically requiring a full practice week for him to be available. In late-season situations, teams often lean on walkthrough work, treatment progress, and how a player responds in pregame testing.Why Seattle’s Offensive Line Health Is a Big Deal Right NowThis is the kind of week where offensive line availability can quietly decide how the Seahawks call the game.If tackles are limited, it can change everything from protection calls to how often Seattle keeps a tight end in to help, and even how aggressive the offense can be pushing the ball downfield. It can also affect the run plan, especially if the Seahawks want to keep leaning on the ground game to control tempo.Macdonald emphasized earlier in the presser how connected the run game is, not just the line, but tight ends, receivers, and the quarterback executing details. That’s usually coach-speak for: if you’re missing key pieces up front, everyone else has to do more.With the Seattle Seahawks set for an NFC Championship showdown against the Los Angeles Rams, Macdonald’s day-to-day offensive line update carries extra weight. This is the kind of matchup where one tackle spot can swing the entire game plan, how often Seattle chips with tight ends, how long Sam Darnold can hold the ball, and how clean the run lanes look early. Macdonald said Josh Jones is “a candidate” to return to practice this week, while noting the team will see where things stand Wednesday.Zach Charbonnet injury adds pressure on the run-planMacdonald also addressed the Zach Charbonnet injury, saying it’s “pretty sure ACL,” and that the team is still working through details.Even if the story focus is the offensive line, that matters because it raises the stakes on blocking consistency and clean execution: if Seattle’s backfield is reshuffling while the line is banged up, the margin for error shrinks. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Seahawks Could Get Major Offensive Line Upgrades For NFC Championship appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Phoenix Suns may finally get Jalen Green back on the floor. After missing 33 consecutive games with a right hamstring strain, Green is expected to return Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to Arizona Sports reporter John Gambadoro. The potential return would mark just his third appearance of the season and his first since early November in a debut year that has stalled almost from the start. Green is sitting out of Monday night’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets in the first leg of Phoenix’s back-to-back. Still, his status continues to trend upward. The Suns upgraded the 23-year-old guard to questionable for the first time since the injury, a notable step after more than two months on the sideline. A Long Road Back After a Sudden Setback Green has not played since Nov. 8, but the absence feels even longer given how abruptly it began. In his Suns debut earlier that week, Green erupted for 29 points, immediately showcasing the downhill speed and scoring punch Phoenix envisioned when it added him to the roster. He suffered the hamstring injury the very next game and has not returned since. Before arriving in Phoenix, Green had played 192 consecutive games, playoffs included, without missing time. Then the streak ended almost immediately. Because of this, Phoenix has resisted the temptation to rush Green back, even as the team navigated long stretches without one of its most explosive perimeter weapons. Head coach Jordan Ott has consistently emphasized progress rather than timelines, noting that Green continues to move in the right direction. “Everything seemed to be good. So we’ll see,” Ott said over the weekend. “Still going in the right direction.” Ott also highlighted the behind-the-scenes work Green has been able to do despite not playing in games. “They actually get a lot more done with five-on-five than even some of our practices in the season,” Ott explained. “We have that ‘stay ready group’ that does some drill work and mixes it up half-court, full court. He’s able to pop in our shootarounds. He’s still in our shootarounds the best he can. Just would love to see him out there in a jersey.” Booker, Locker Room Eager for Green’s Return Devin Booker has made it clear how much the team wants Green back, especially after watching and following what the process has taken out of him mentally. “I’m happy for him. I’m excited for him,” Booker said, via Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. “Nobody wants to miss time. He’s been healthy the majority of his career. So I know he’s itching to get out there.” Booker of course also highlighted the on-court impact Green brings when healthy. “He’s another person out there that’ll have rim presence for us and draw a lot of fouls,” Booker told reporters Saturday. “We’re all getting excited for Jalen. He’s been licking his chops getting ready for this moment. I think we’ve overdone it with keeping him out. He’s going to be healthy and strong and ready to go.” What Green’s Return Could Mean If Green does return Tuesday in Philadelphia, expectations will remain measured. It’s likely that he may even be on a minutes restriction as he continues to work himself into game shape. Still, for a Suns team that has waited months to reintegrate a key piece, simply having Green back in uniform would matter. His speed, rim pressure, and ability to tilt the floor give Phoenix a dimension it has lacked for much of the season. For now, the finish line finally appears in sight. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Suns Share Exciting Jalen Green Injury News Ahead of Nets Game appeared first on Heavy Sports.