Michael Dickson is one of the NFL's best punters and he has been an important part of the Seahawks' success since joining the team in 2018, but in a strange way, his absence, caused by back spasms, was a blessing for the Seahawks in last week’s win over the Jets.

With Dickson unavailable to punt early in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks went for it on fourth-and-6 from their own 33-yard line, a situation in which they normally would have punted, and the result was a conversion due to penalty and an eventual go-ahead touchdown.

But while things worked out in that particular situation for the Seahawks, they definitely would be better off having Dickson back this week, and Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald expressed optimism that his punter will indeed be back, though it's not a sure thing this early in the week.

"We're still working through it right now," Macdonald said. "Optimistic for the week, so we're pretty sure we'll have him on Sunday. We're not sure right now."

Asked if the Seahawks might look to add a punter this week in case Dickson isn't able to play, Macdonald said, "That's on the table right now."

In other injury news, Macdonald said outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and tackle Stone Forsythe, both of whom returned to practice last week, have a shot to be activated from IR for Sunday's game in Arizona.

"Those guys have a chance," Macdonald said. "We'll see how the week goes, when we activate them and all that, but excited about both of them. Really, everyone that has gone on IR has just worked their tails off, so when they get their opportunities, it'll be exciting."

As for receiver DK Metcalf, who had an injury scare in Sunday's win over the Jets, only to return after missing just two plays, he explained that he got hit on his knee in a way that made his foot momentarily go numb.

"Hell yeah," Metcalf said when asked if he initially thought the injury was serious. "My foot went numb. The only other time I felt that was when I broke my neck, my arm went numb and felt like it was on fire. The same thing happened in the game, my foot was numb."

After getting checked out by team physician, Dr. Ed Khalfayan, who evaluated Metcalf and told him he was OK, he was able to breathe a sigh of relief and quickly return to the game.

"I hit a peroneal nerve in my knee that shot down into my foot," Metcalf said. "It's just like hitting your funny bone."

Seahawks "working through" kick and punt return spots.

The Seahawks turned the ball over twice on kick returns in the first half of last weekend's win, with Dee Williams and Laviska Shenault Jr. both fumbling returns. Shenault, who also muffed another kickoff and recovered it, was waived on Monday, so the Seahawks will need at least one new kick returner for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, and Macdonald said that both return spots, and the punt return job, held by Williams so far this season, are being evaluated this week.

"I'd say both returner spots in the punt and kickoff return game, we're working through still, so we don't have an answer quite yet," Macdonald said. "We have some people that we're going to be working at those spots, Dee included. I just don't have an answer for you exactly what we're going to do right now."

Rookie Sataoa Laumea to get another start at right guard.

Sataoa Laumea made his NFL debut on Sunday, starting and playing every offensive snap, and while it wasn't a flawless performance, it was good enough to impress teammates and coaches, and also to earn the sixth-round pick another star this week.

"That's the plan right now," Macdonald said. "There were a couple of mentals to start out the game, but you're talking about a rookie playing his first meaningful NFL action. But we felt him out there, I thought he did a great job getting used to the game, so I'm excited about him."