Seattle Seahawks’ Hopes Rest on Sam Darnold’s Health

The Seattle Seahawks are hoping for the best as they prepare for a crucial matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The team is closely watching the health of their starting quarterback, Sam Darnold, who suffered an oblique injury during Thursday’s practice. This unexpected setback has raised concerns about whether Darnold will be able to play in what could be his second career playoff game.

Darnold was initially listed as questionable for the Divisional Round, but there were signs of optimism from both the quarterback and head coach Mike Macdonald. However, the uncertainty remains, especially since Darnold has not thrown a football since the injury occurred. The situation became even more complicated after the NFL Playoff game earlier in the day was halted after just four seconds due to a frightening injury.

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Because of his injury, Darnold has not taken full reps, which leaves questions about how his body will react during live game action. The Seahawks are preparing for the possibility that Darnold might not be at full strength, and if he does start, it will be under close scrutiny.

In case Darnold is unable to play, backup quarterback Drew Lock is ready to step in. Lock took all first-team reps in practice, ensuring he is prepared if needed for Saturday’s showdown. Even if Darnold makes it through pregame warmups without any setbacks, he will face intense pressure throughout the early stages of the game.

Seahawks fans are particularly concerned because Darnold has never suffered an oblique injury in his career. This means he won’t have prior experience with how his body reacts to such an injury. Additionally, the timing of the injury is puzzling, given that the Seahawks earned a first-round bye and did not play in the Wild Card round, which usually allows teams to rest and recover.

After practice on Thursday, Darnold assured reporters that the injury was nothing serious. He said, “I felt a little something in my oblique. Just didn’t want to push it, wasn’t the day to push it. That was it. Just came inside, got some rehab, and feel like I’ll be ready to play Saturday.”

Despite the injury, Darnold has been a key player in the Seahawks’ success this season. He helped the team earn the NFC’s top seed and win the NFC West division for the first time since 2020. During the regular season, Darnold threw for 4,048 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns, forming a strong connection with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards.

In his debut last postseason with the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold threw for 245 yards, one touchdown, and one interception as the Vikings fell 27-9 to the Los Angeles Rams. Darnold joined Seattle on a three-year deal worth $100.5 million last offseason, making him a vital part of the team’s future.