Seahawks expect Drew Lock to start at QB vs Raiders

The Seattle Seahawks are expecting Drew Lock to start their Week 10 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Mike Macdonald told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Monday.

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Lock, who was reportedly dealing with server tendinitis in his throwing elbow, made the start in place of injured starter Sam Darnold in Sunday’s 17-3 win over the Arizona Cardinals, completing 19-of-28 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown. But he briefly went into the medical tent with an oblique issue in the third quarter after a change of possession before returning to the game without missing a snap.

“Good exam for Drew. He’s dealing with an oblique. I think it’s something he can manage and play in the game (against the Raiders),” Macdonald said. “Sam will need another week.”

Darnold is in line to miss his second straight game with a quad injury sustained in a Week 8 loss to the Chicago Bears. He also suffered a cracked rib during the game.

Second-year quarterback Jalen Milroe is in line to serve as Seattle’s backup again in Week 10 with Darnold out.

The Seahawks are 2-0 in games started by Lock this season, both against the Cardinals. He also led them to a win in Week 1 over the New England Patriots after he replaced Darnold, who left after the game’s opening series with a glute injury. Meanwhile, Seattle has gone 2-4 in games started and finished by Darnold, which excludes the opener against New England.

Lock has completed 71.1% of his passes (54 of 76) for 597 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions in three games this season. Darnold has completed 60.2% of his passes (127 of 211) for 1,478 yards, 10 TDs and nine interceptions in seven games.

The disparity in turnovers between the quarterbacks is also backed up by their turnoverworthy play rates. According to Pro Football Focus, Lock’s turnoverworthy play rate is 1.2% compared to Darnold’s 4.7%.

Macdonald said he doesn’t think that’s all on the quarterbacks.

“I think those are more reflective of us, one, being in some not-great situations where the ball is going to be in jeopardy just because of the way the game have shaken out, and also as an offense, how decisive we can be with the football and if we’re playing our best as well,” Macdonald said. “Do we want our guys to player better in certain situations? Yeah, absolutely.

“But I think it’s a nod to Drew for coming in and playing great football, and it’s also a sign for us to understand when we’re at our best, we are taking the fight to the defense and then the ball – it’s funny how it works – it just magically tends to be more secure.”

Macdonald didn’t reveal whether or not Darnold is in jeopardy of losing his starting role, but he did share his thoughts on players losing their starting spots while injured.

“It’s an understanding that if you’re a starter and you get hurt, you have your job when you get back. But there are circumstances where – we’ve had this in our first year with Coby (Bryant). Coby came in and we couldn’t take him out,” Macdonald said. “That’s a tough thing because it’s like, hey, this is best for the team. That’s kind of – I want to say it’s an exception for the lack of a better term, but you don’t want guys to feel like they’re getting penalized for getting hurt as well. So, that’s kind of how I look through it.”

Seattle Seahawks news and more

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