THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: A gamble at QB for the Seahawks in Vegas

Are you ready for Jalen Milroe?

No?

Then how about Adrian Martinez?

It's possible, but not quite likely, that Milroe could actually see meaningful game action this week against the Raiders.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald isn't exactly thrilled that Game No. 10 could be in the hands of the second-year player from Alabama — but he's not going to risk the health of his top two quarterbacks just to prove a point.

Starter Sam Darnold has played six of the Hawks' nine games while suffering from a quad injury.

Slingin' Sam is 2-4, with 10 touchdown passes but (gulp!) nine interceptions.

Meantime, regular backup Drew Lock is 3-0 as a starter — plus most of the season opener against New England — without a single turnover.

Lock is solid as a QB2, just fine as a "break glass in case of emergency," but in the midst of beating Arizona 17-3 last weekend, Lock suffered a pretty nasty shot to his throwing elbow.

Macdonald is in a bit of a bind.

Both his top two QBs are hurt, but each insists he's well enough to play against Vegas.

There are solid reasons to let Darnold play in that game.

He's basically recovered from the quad problem, and the season's last six games will look completely different if Seattle can avoid a stumble against the Raiders.

As for Lock, well, he's tough enough to go this weekend, sore elbow or not.

"He's just a beast," Macdonald said of his backup QB.

SO, DO you take a chance?

If this were Arizona again, the Hawks might gamble with Milroe — why not, when they're already pounded the Cardinals twice?

That would be all sunshine and lollipops.

Rest for the top two quarterbacks, and a game battle for young Milroe.

Bear in mind that the Seahawks have their bye coming up in Week 11, so if they can just dust the Raiders and take that week off with a 6-4 record, things won't look too bad.

FYI, I was kidding about Adrian Martinez, but the Hawks DID sign him to the practice squad this week.

You can't logically keep four quarterbacks on the payroll (money isn't really the issue, since Martinez will earn just $247,500 for the rest of this season).

It's more about reps, about legit practice time for guys who are going to play for real against the Raiders.

Speaking of money, though, this is the sort of puzzle that puts Macdonald in the $9 million bracket.

Of course, he's already won a Super Bowl.

Whatever the price tag, Macdonald has to sort out the quarterbacks this week, pray that everyone survives in the Vegas game, and do plenty of rehabbing when they get the next week off.

The schedule after that mini-vacation is a mixed bag — starting with the 49ers on the road, a game Seattle almost HAS to win to cling to postseason dreams.

After that, it's the Cowboys and Giants at home, a visit to the Eagles, and then two battles with the Rams sandwiched around a trip to Carolina.

The Hawks' squandering some very winnable games earlier in the season has put them in the dreaded must-win position.

They were manhandled by the Bears, but the other three losses came by a total of eight points.

Of course, they got away with that kind of nonsense last year, and still won the whole thing.

But they also had a healthy quarterback.

OK, WHAT does Macdonald do on the trip to Las Vegas?

Coaches are conservative by nature, and that goes to an extreme in the NFL.

Macdonald wouldn't enjoy a postgame press conference that requires some explanation about why he took a shot with Milroe if either of the other two are still alive.

If you're thinking of a bet, go with Darnold in Vegas.

Yes, Lock has played better so far this season, but he hasn't won any Super Bowls.

To be brutally honest, Darnold has been average (or below) in his starts — including some horrible picks that have kept the Hawks at 5-4 instead of 7-2.

On the other hand, Sam can make the explosive play, which is why the Lombardi Trophy is spending some time in Seattle.

Lock is great if you have a bully running game, and then you throw to wide open receivers whenever it suits you.

Remember, also, that two of Lock's wins have come against Arizona — which were barely more than glorified scrimmages.

I doubt that we'll see Milroe anytime soon.

And Martinez?

Put in a running package.

Martinez won a conference title at Kansas State by using his legs as often as his arm.

Maybe Seattle could introduce the next Taysom Hill.

Just the sort of thing John Schneider might imagine.

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Longtime journalist Steve Cameron writes "The Cheap Seats" for The Press three times each week.