Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold sustained an oblique injury during practice but anticipates playing in Saturday’s divisional round playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, despite being listed as questionable. The injury occurred on Thursday, January 15, 2026, when Darnold felt discomfort in his left side while throwing during a routes-on-air period, prompting him to leave practice early as a precaution.
Darnold expressed high confidence in his availability, stating that the chance he won’t play is “very low percentage, probably closer to zero.” This marks his first experience with an oblique injury, and he plans to undergo treatment and rehab in the days leading up to the game to ensure readiness. His optimism is backed by a proactive approach, emphasizing that he didn’t want to push through the pain during practice and instead focused on recovery.
The Seahawks, as the NFC’s top seed with a 14-3 regular-season record, are heavily reliant on Darnold, who joined the team in March after a trade from the Minnesota Vikings. He has been instrumental in their success, earning a Pro Bowl selection for the second consecutive year despite leading the NFL with 20 turnovers. His performance this season, completing 67.7% of passes for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns, has solidified his role as a key leader in Seattle’s offense.
Saturday’s game is a highly anticipated rematch with the 49ers, whom the Seahawks defeated in Week 18 to clinch the NFC West title and secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Darnold highlighted the significance of playing at Lumen Field, where fan support could be a decisive factor, noting that using cadence and having the crowd’s energy will be crucial. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, as this will be the first playoff game at the stadium with full attendance since January 2017.
For Darnold, this playoff appearance carries personal stakes, as he seeks redemption after a disappointing debut last season with the Vikings, where he was sacked nine times in a wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He described the Week 18 win over the 49ers as feeling like a playoff game due to the high stakes, and he aims to build on that experience. His journey from Minnesota to Seattle has been marked by resilience, and a victory would advance his career and the team’s Super Bowl aspirations.
As preparation continues, Darnold and head coach Mike Macdonald are treating the week like any other, focusing on routine and minimizing distractions. Backup quarterback Drew Lock is on standby, but all indications point to Darnold starting. With the injury not expected to sideline him, the Seahawks are poised for a competitive showdown, underscoring Darnold’s toughness and the team’s championship ambitions in a pivotal postseason moment.
