Jalen Milroe, come on down.
As offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak had said — and head coach Mike Macdonald was purposefully coy about Friday — Milroe was active for his NFL debut Sunday. The rookie third-round draft pick made it all three quarterbacks in full uniform for Seattle for its opening game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Sam Darnold started. Drew Lock was the veteran backup.
And the 6-foot-2, 216-pound Milroe was poised for a package of plays Kubiak specially designed for his running and passing ability, particularly on third downs and nearer the goal line.
“Yeah, he’s going to get opportunities,” Kubiak said of the former Alabama starter. “We’re looking forward to seeing him get out on the field. He’s had a really good training camp.
“Young player that’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
Macdonald wouldn’t answer Friday whether Milroe would be active. The Seahawks wanted the 49ers defensive coaches to have to prepare all week for Milroe’s second dimension behind Darnold, then keep San Francisco guessing into the weekend if Seattle would actually use him.
Inactive Seahawks Sunday
The Seahawks had three injured inactive players Sunday they had declared out for the game on Friday: linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, wide receiver Jake Bobo and wide receiver Dareke Young.
Nwosu is recovering from offseason knee surgery. Macdonald said Friday his veteran pass rusher is ahead of schedule in his recovery, just not yet ready to play.
Bobo was still in the NFL’s concussion protocol he’s been in since Aug. 23. That day he collided with a teammate while fielding a punt in the final preseason game at Green Bay. Bobo did some work on the side at practices this past week. The Seahawks hope the fourth-year wide receiver and special-teams mainstay will play next weekend at Pittsburgh.
Young injured his hamstring in practice this past week.
Seattle’s other inactives Sunday: rookie linebacker Jared Ivey, rookie linebacker Connor O’Toole, rookie offensive lineman Mason Richman and rookie tight end Nick Kellerup.
The 49ers had lead running back Christian McCaffrey active to start Sunday. He’d been questionable to play. He was limited in San Francisco’s practice Thursday nad missed practice Friday with a calf injury.