Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald voiced strong confidence on Friday that starting quarterback Sam Darnold will be available for Saturday’s crucial divisional round playoff matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, despite Darnold nursing a new oblique injury. Macdonald described himself as “really optimistic” about Darnold’s status, though the team officially listed the quarterback as questionable on the injury report following Thursday’s practice incident.
Darnold first felt discomfort in his left side during a throwing session on Thursday, prompting him to leave practice early as a precautionary measure. He was subsequently listed as a limited participant that day and added to the injury report with the oblique issue. By Friday, both Darnold and the coaching staff expressed hope that the injury would not sideline him for the playoff game, with the quarterback stating he expects to play and the probability of not playing being “very low.”
During his media availability on Friday, Coach Macdonald echoed Darnold’s positive outlook while acknowledging the inherent uncertainty with such injuries. “We’re listing him as questionable. Really optimistic he’s going to be able to play,” Macdonald said. “Right now we’re going through all the protocol… just out of caution to make sure we’re ready to go. We’ll test it out tomorrow and kind of make the final decision.” The coach also noted that Darnold reported feeling better on Friday compared to the previous day.
In the event that Darnold is unable to start or finish the game, veteran backup Drew Lock is prepared to step in. Lock, who has 28 career starts and a 10-18 record, has been taking reps in practice and is ready if called upon. Rookie third-round pick Jalen Milroe serves as the emergency third quarterback, having been inactive for the past 12 games but remaining available if needed.
The injury comes at a critical juncture for the Seahawks, who are set to host the 49ers at Lumen Field in a highly anticipated playoff rematch. Seattle secured the NFC’s top seed and home-field advantage by defeating San Francisco in Week 18, finishing the regular season with a 14-3 record. Darnold, who made the Pro Bowl this season after throwing for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns, is poised to make his second playoff start, having lost his debut last year with the Minnesota Vikings.
Aside from Darnold, the Seahawks have only a few other injury concerns for the game. Tight end Elijah Arroyo, linebacker Chazz Surratt, and tackle Josh Jones have all been ruled out, but left tackle Charles Cross and safety Coby Bryant are expected to return after missing recent games. Cross was limited in practice earlier in the week due to a knee issue but has since been cleared.
Darnold’s ability to play at full capacity could significantly impact the Seahawks’ offensive strategy against a formidable 49ers defense. The quarterback emphasized the importance of playing at home, where the crowd noise can be leveraged to disrupt the opponent’s offense. “Being able to use cadence is going to be huge, and then having our 12s there making noise when they’re on offense is crucial,” Darnold said, referring to the team’s passionate fan base.
As kickoff approaches, the Seahawks are treating the playoff atmosphere with a business-as-usual mindset, focusing on execution rather than hype. With Lumen Field expected to be packed and loud for its first playoff game with fans since 2017, all eyes will be on Darnold’s health and performance as Seattle aims to advance in the postseason.
