Doug Baldwin set to return for Seahawks against Cardinals

Seattle Seahawks v Dallas Cowboys

RENTON -- Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has sided with wide receiver Doug Baldwin when it comes to the latter's availability to play this Sunday.

Baldwin insisted on Thursday that he was ready to go after missing the last two weeks due to an MCL injury in his right now.

"I know Pete has a press conference coming up eventually (on Friday) so  you'll have to ask him... I'm ready to go," Baldwin said on Thursday.  "That's going to be their call. There's a lot of things that go into it,  obviously, the precautionary reasons of making sure that I'm healthy  fully so that I can go for the rest of the season and not just this  game."

At that Friday press conference, Carroll confirmed that Baldwin will be back for Sunday's kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals.

"Excited to tell you that Doug Baldwin is going to play in this game. He had a great week. He looked terrific," head coach Pete Carroll said. "He's just raring to go as much as anybody could so we really excited to have him back out there. He's a big part of our club and means a lot to us so it will be great to see him out there."

Baldwin hadn't missed a game for Seattle since the 2012 season. He had appeared in 89 straight regular season games and 12 postseason games since the last time he was sidelined for an injury. The two games he missed that season were the only absences he's had in his first seven years in the NFL.

"Still a little frustrating because I feel like I'm still being held back a little bit," Baldwin said. "I understand why and the precautionary reasons but I'm chomping at the bit. I'm ready to go. This is what I do so I'm excited about getting back out there."

Baldwin played just 11 snaps against the Denver Broncos before being sidelined for good. He was injured when defensive tackle Domata Peko rolled up on the back of his leg on a run play. Baldwin tried to return to the game before realizing he wasn't able to play like he needed to.

Injury Updates:

Linebacker K.J. Wright (knee) and defensive end Rasheem Green (ankle) were ruled out on Friday.

It will be the fourth game Wright has missed after having surgery the final week of the preseason. Green was injured in last week's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

"He's bouncing around on it pretty good but he won't make it," Carroll said of Green.

Additionally, defensive end Dion Jordan is listed as questionable due to a core muscle issue listed as a hip injury on the report.

The injuries to Green and Jordan are why Seattle felt the need to promote Branden Jackson off the practice squad earlier this week.

Ethan Pocic is listed as doubtful, which will give J.R. Sweezy a second straight start at left guard. Running back C.J. Prosise is also doubtful after having an abdominal issue come up during pregame workouts last Sunday.

Carroll did say Prosise had a favorable report after an appointment to examine his injury.

"He came back in pretty good stead so he has a chance to play this weekend too. We'll see what happens with that," Carroll said.

Running back Chris Carson is officially listed as questionable, but Carroll seemed optimistic he'll be good to go.

"We just got to make sure he's OK," Carroll said. "He just felt a little something and we just took it easy on him. Had a bunch of carries last week as we all know and it warranted a little bit of a break. We just got to make sure he's OK. We'll take it all the way to game time. He's thinking he's going but we'll just make sure and guarantee it."

Injury Report:

Photo Credit: ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 24: Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks makes a touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)


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