Chad Marshall is expected to return to training next week and might only miss Sunday's game against the LA Galaxy, Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told the media on Friday.
"It's a neck injury, so there are precautions we need to make. But our expectation is he shouldn't miss more than this game coming up. He's been released, he's feeling much, much better. It's just a matter of now, with certain injuries like that, you have to follow a protocol and you always err on the side of caution. I full expect to see Chad around next week."
The three-time MLS Defender of the Year was taken away in an ambulance from Wednesday's training session after falling awkwardly and slamming his head against the turf. Marshall was taken to the hospital where he underwent a series of tests. After determining he had sustained a neck sprain, medical staff allowed him to be discharged and sent home.
Brad Evans, one of Marshall's better friends on the team, was even able to joke about the situation.
"We look out for our own and we are concerned. But at the end of the day as long as he's at home and healthy, and I don't have to feed him food for the rest of his life, it's phenomenal. I'm happy he's OK and I expect him to make a quick recovery like he always has."
Oneil Fisher's hamstring was characterized as a "day to day, week to week" thing. Schmid was also asked about Nelson Valdez, saying "We just wanted him to train and then pulled him out. We didn't want him to suffer a setback. He felt fine today."
Without Fisher, Marshall and Roman Torres, the Sounders appear to be down three first-choice defenders. Brad Evans and Zach Scott will likely get the starts at CB on Sunday, though whether Leo González or Dylan Remick take the field against the LA Galaxy is not yet known.