The return of Jalen Sundell from IR could spark a position battle along the Seattle Seahawks' offensive line as they prepare for the Indianapolis Colts.

Coach Mike Macdonald said Monday his Seahawks are going to designate Sundell to return to practice this week off injured reserve. The starting center has missed the minimum four weeks he must on IR, with a knee injury he got in Seattle’s win over Arizona last month.

The Seahawks have won three of four despite the absence of starting center Jalen Sundell, who has been on IR since Nov. 15. With Sundell now eligible to return, the Seahawks will open his practice window this week, head coach Mike Macdonald announced (via Brady Henderson of ESPN ). They’ll have 21 days to activate Sundell.

Sundell (knee) logged a full practice session Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks ' official site reports.

Saubert and Sundell do not count towards the 53-man roster limit, but will have to be added to the roster before they can return to game action. They can practice for up to 21 days without counting toward the roster, at which point they need to either be activated to the 53-man roster or remain on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Jalen Sundell is set to return to Seahawks practice after a knee injury, but his starting center job isn’t guaranteed with Olu Oluwatimi surging.

Sundell (knee) and Saubert (calf) both have 21 days before they have to be re-added to the active roster, but they might be back much sooner. The opening of two spots makes it much more likely that's the Seahawks' plan.

News and notes from Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald’s press conference a day after his team’s Week 14 win in Atlanta.