Seahawks QB Darnold listed as questionable for playoff game

In a surprising development, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was added to the injury report Thursday and listed as questionable with an oblique injury for Saturday night’s NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Darnold said he “felt a little something” in his oblique while throwing during Thursday’s practice, but he expects to play Saturday night.

“In routes on air, just kind of felt a little something in my oblique,” Darnold said. “Just didn’t want to push it. Wasn’t the day to push it. So that was it. So just came inside, got some rehab and feel like I’ll be ready to go for Saturday.”

Related: Can Hawks win if Drew Lock starts? | Full Seahawks-49ers injury reports

Darnold started all 17 regular-season games for the Seahawks while helping lead them to a franchise-best 14-3 record and the NFC’s top seed. He finished eighth in the NFL in completion rate (67.7%), fifth in passing yards (4,048), tied for ninth in touchdown passes (25) and second in yards per pass attempt (8.5). He also threw 14 interceptions, which were the third-most in the league.

Darnold said he’s never experienced oblique issues before.

“We’ll attack it the next couple days and be ready to go for Saturday,” Darnold said.

When asked about his chances of not being able to play, he responded: “It’s a very low percentage. Probably closer to zero.”

Seattle’s backup quarterback is Drew Lock, who has made 28 starts over his seven-year NFL career.

Lock, a 2019 second-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos, spent his first three seasons in the Mile High City before arriving in Seattle as part of the Russell Wilson trade in March 2022.

Lock then spent the next two seasons backing up former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, which included two starts in 2023 when Smith was sidelined with an injury. In the latter of those two starts, Lock led a dramatic game-winning drive against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.

Lock signed with the New York Giants in 2024 with the hope of earning their starting job, but ended up making just five starts. He returned to Seattle last April on a two-year, $5 million deal.

Lock has completed 2 of 3 passes for 15 yards this season, with all three pass attempts coming in the latter stages of a Week 3 rout of the New Orleans Saints.

“Drew’s been really impressive throughout OTAs and training camp and in his role,” Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said. “A lot of confidence in Drew. Brought him here for a reason.”

More on the Seattle Seahawks

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• 3 reasons Daniel Jeremiah expects Seahawks to beat 49ers again
• What national voices are saying about Seahawks QB Sam Darnold

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