Despite exiting the Seattle Seahawks' matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday due to a knee injury, quarterback Geno Smith could be ready to go for next week's matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

Head coach Mike Macdonald said Smith will practice this week and is optimistic he can play on Sunday.

"We're fortunate," Macdonald said, per ESPN's Brady Henderson. "A lot of positive, optimistic signs coming out of the tests. Geno's a beast, man. He's in here working out in the morning, working through it. I know he's still feeling it, but this guy's tough as nails and hopefully, we'll see him practice throughout the week with [optimism] in him being ready for the game."

After the loss and Smith's exit, Macdonald clarified that there was no structural damage to Smith's knee and praised his quarterback's toughness.

"I'll tell you this, this guy is probably the toughest player I've ever been around," Macdonald said, per Henderson. "It was severe enough for him not to come back in the game. We'll do all the tests tomorrow and kind of figure it out as we go. But right now, structurally it looks like it's OK, but we've got to get it imaged and all that stuff."

The injury occurred in the third quarter when Smith took a hit from linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. After being listed as questionable to return, he appeared to be getting ready to come in the game but never did.

He finished with 149 passing yards and an interception on 15-of-19 passing. Sam Howell, his replacement, struggled in his third appearance of the season, completing five of his 14 pass attempts for 24 yards and an interception.

The Seahawks fell to 8-6 with the loss and dropped to eighth place in the NFC, out of the playoff picture if the season ended this week. Things don't get easier this week as they take on the Vikings.

Seattle can lose its matchup against Minnesota and still make the playoffs, though it would likely need to win its final two games against the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams. Having Smith back on the field for the final stretch would be instrumental.