Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a left oblique injury during practice, making him questionable for the upcoming NFC divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, though he remains confident he will play.
Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Sam Darnold sustained a left oblique injury during Thursday's practice, casting doubt on his availability for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. Despite being listed as questionable, Darnold expressed strong confidence in his ability to play, stating the chances of him sitting out are "very low, probably closer to zero." He described feeling something in his oblique while throwing passes without defenders and chose not to push it, opting for immediate rehab. This marks the first time the eighth-year quarterback has dealt with an oblique issue, and he will undergo treatment leading up to the game. Darnold had an impressive first season with the Seahawks, throwing for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and leading Seattle to a 14-3 record and the NFC's top seed. Backup quarterback Drew Lock, who has appeared in five games this season with only three pass attempts, is prepared to step in if necessary. Lock has 28 career NFL starts, including five for the New York Giants in 2024, and has completed 59.6% of his passes with 34 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak voiced strong confidence in Lock, noting his impressive performance in OTAs and training camp, affirming he was brought to the team for a reason. Nevertheless, the Seahawks hope Darnold will be able to play, avoiding the need for Lock's services.
