The Seattle Seahawks might be getting a timely offensive boost ahead of their NFC Divisional Round matchup.
Head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters this week that rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo is a possibility for coming back this week, adding that the young tight end has “looked good” in practice. Macdonald dropped the update in a recent press conference on January 12.
Seattle is slated to host the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round on Saturday, January 17, with kickoff time and TV info still to be finalized.
Seahawks Coach Mike Macdonald Opens Door for Elijah Arroyo Return
Arroyo’s potential return matters because the Seahawks are coming off a bye, and they’ve been using the extra week to get healthier and sharpen details before the postseason pressure spikes.
The Seahawks opened Arroyo’s practice window after placing him on injured reserve late in the regular season. Seattle officially designated Arroyo for return to practice on January 7, noting he had missed the final four games of the regular season while on IR.
Macdonald’s update this week is the clearest sign yet that Arroyo is trending in the right direction, and that the Seahawks are at least considering having him available for their biggest game of the season.
What It Means for Seattle’s Offense vs. San Francisco
If Arroyo is cleared and activated, it gives Seattle another playable tight end option at a moment when matchups get tighter and margins shrink.
Tight ends can be especially valuable in the playoffs because they help an offense stay flexible: heavier personnel looks without tipping run/pass, chip help in protection, and quick outlets against pressure.
Even if Arroyo is on a snap count, Seattle simply having him available can change how the Seahawks build their weekly plan, especially in the red zone and on third down, where one extra viable target can matter.
This season, Arroyo has caught 15 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown. He’s shown valuable growth throughout the season, and could be an important player to keep AJ Barner fresh, too. The second-round rookie has been a part of an average of 40% of the Seahawks’ offensive snaps this season.
Key Details to Know: IR Return Rules and the Clock
Here’s the practical part that fans should watch over the next few days:
- Once a player is cleared to practice after an IR stint, the team has 21 days to activate him to the 53-man roster (or else he must remain on IR).
- Seattle has already gotten Arroyo back on the practice field, and Macdonald’s “possibility” comment suggests the decision is now about readiness and roster math, not whether he can practice.
That means the next key checkpoints are Seattle’s practice participation levels, the final injury report, and whether the Seahawks make the corresponding roster move to activate him.
What to Watch Next
If Arroyo keeps stacking good practices, this story has an obvious next step: whether Seattle activates him in time for the 49ers game, and what role he’s given if he’s up.
Either way, the Seahawks are signaling they like what they’re seeing, which is the type of late-season health swing that can quietly tilt a playoff matchup.
Seahawks Hint at Major Playoff News Ahead of 49ers Game