Lead
Two days before Saturday’s NFC divisional playoff at Lumen Field in Renton, the Seattle Seahawks listed starting quarterback Sam Darnold as questionable with an oblique issue after he left Thursday’s practice early. Darnold told reporters he felt something on the left side during on-field work, received treatment and expects to play against the San Francisco 49ers. The team added backup Drew Lock took extra snaps with the first offense while Darnold stepped away as a precaution. The Seahawks otherwise report near-full health, with a handful of reserve players unavailable.
Key Takeaways
- Sam Darnold was added to the injury report on Thursday with an oblique concern after exiting early in practice; he said he expects to play Saturday.
- Darnold reported the discomfort came during early practice routes and left for rehab; he described the chance he misses the game as “very low, probably closer to zero.”
- Until this week, Darnold had not been on injury reports this season and has not missed a game due to injury over the past two seasons; his last significant missed time was the start of 2022 with a high ankle sprain in Carolina.
- Backup QB Drew Lock received additional snaps with the No. 1 offense Thursday; Lock has 28 career starts and last started late in the 2024 season for the Giants.
- The only player officially ruled out is backup OT Josh Jones (knee); Charles Cross is expected to start despite one limited practice day this week for hamstring and knee issues.
- Tight end Elijah Arroyo and linebacker Chazz Surratt remain on injured reserve but have opened practice windows recently and could be activated later if the Seahawks advance.
Background
The Seahawks host their first playoff game with a healthy home crowd in nearly a decade, meeting a familiar divisional rival in the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle’s late-season improvement has been anchored by consistency at quarterback, with Darnold starting every game since joining the team this year. The timing of a potential soft-tissue issue is notable because oblique injuries can affect throwing motion and preparation in the short term, prompting teams to manage repetitions carefully ahead of high-stakes matchups.
Seattle’s depth chart at quarterback includes Drew Lock, who has starting experience and received extra work in Thursday’s session after Darnold left. On the offensive line, Charles Cross returning to the expected starting spot stabilizes protection plans, but the absence of Josh Jones — who started the final three regular-season games at left tackle — reduces immediate backup options. The Seahawks have navigated injuries throughout the season and opened practice windows this month for Arroyo and Surratt as they evaluate potential reinforcements.
Main Event
During Thursday’s practice in Renton, Darnold said he felt something in his left oblique while running routes in air work and decided not to push through the session. He went inside for treatment and rehab, with team staff classifying his absence as precautionary; the Seahawks later listed him as questionable on the official report. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak deferred status questions to coach Mike Macdonald, who is scheduled to give final injury updates on Friday ahead of the playoff kickoff.
With Darnold stepping away, Drew Lock took additional snaps with the first-team offense to ensure the Seahawks had prepared a functional alternate plan. Lock’s recent experience includes a late 2024 start with the Giants and prior spot starts for Seattle in Weeks 14 and 15 of the 2023 season (a loss to the 49ers and a win over the Eagles). Kubiak publicly expressed confidence in Lock’s readiness and the decision to keep him active as an experienced insurance policy.
Offensive tackle Josh Jones was the only player officially ruled out Thursday with a knee issue; Jones had started the final three regular-season games at left tackle while Cross was sidelined. Charles Cross was limited for one practice day this week with hamstring and knee concerns but is expected to return as the starter on Saturday. The Seahawks also confirmed tight end Elijah Arroyo and linebacker Chazz Surratt remain working through IR practice windows and are not yet on the 53-man roster.
Analysis & Implications
Short-term, the primary question is whether Darnold’s oblique concern materially affects his pregame preparation and in-game effectiveness. Oblique strains often force quarterbacks to limit throwing volume for several days, changing timing with receivers and the comfort over the top of the pocket. Seattle’s medical staff and coaching decisions between Thursday and Saturday will determine whether Darnold receives conservative load management or pushes for full participation in warmups and game planning.
If Darnold starts as expected, Seattle’s play-calling and in-game management may lean toward quicker passing and fewer reps that stress torque-heavy throws early in the contest. The Seahawks can protect against a sudden unavailability by keeping a clear emergency plan — demonstrated Thursday when Lock worked with the first offense — but a mid-game change at quarterback in a divisional playoff would still introduce elevated turnover and rhythm risks against a 49ers defense accustomed to playoff pressure.
On the roster front, Charles Cross’s availability is a key factor for Seattle’s protection scheme; Cross starting stabilizes matchups and reduces the need for slide protections that can blunt the running game. The absence of Jones as a backup increases the consequence of any in-game OL injury, making depth and in-game substitutions a strategic concern. Finally, potential returns from IR for Arroyo and Surratt are forward-looking; even if activated later in the postseason, their roster work and conditioning will affect special teams and rotational depth rather than immediate starter-level contributions.
Comparison & Data
| Player / Stat | Relevant Number | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Darnold | 0 games missed (this season) | Has started every game since joining Seattle this year |
| Recent missed time | Start of 2022 | High ankle sprain while with Carolina |
| Drew Lock | 28 career starts | Last started late in 2024 (Giants); earlier Seahawks starts in 2023 Wk 14 & 15 |
| Josh Jones | Ruled out | Started final 3 regular-season games at LT when Cross was out |
The table highlights continuity at quarterback for Seattle and the experience sitting on the bench in case of emergency. It also shows where depth is thinner on the offensive line after Jones’ ruling out. Those numbers help frame how the Seahawks might adjust game plans or roster usage if Saturday’s situation changes.
Reactions & Quotes
After practice Darnold described the sequence that led to his absence and sought to reassure reporters about his availability.
“In routes on air felt a little something in my oblique and didn’t want to push it. Wasn’t the day to push it.”
Sam Darnold
He later assessed the likelihood he would miss the game as very small, giving teammates and fans reason for cautious optimism.
“It’s a very low percentage, probably closer to zero.”
Sam Darnold
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak placed confidence in Drew Lock’s preparedness when asked about backup plans.
“Drew’s been really impressive throughout OTAs and training camp and in his role. Started a lot of football games, 28 games in the league.”
Klint Kubiak, Seahawks offensive coordinator
Unconfirmed
- Whether Darnold will take full pregame reps on Saturday remains undecided until the coach’s final update Friday.
- The precise medical grading of Darnold’s oblique issue (strain vs. minor irritation) has not been publicly released by the team.
- The timing and likelihood of Elijah Arroyo or Chazz Surratt being added to the 53-man roster before a potential NFC championship are not finalized.
Bottom Line
As of Thursday, the Seahawks listed Sam Darnold as questionable with an oblique concern but he maintains he expects to play against the 49ers on Saturday. The team prepared for contingency by giving Drew Lock additional reps with the first offense, underscoring standard playoff precaution planning. Key final decisions will hinge on Friday’s coach availability and any further medical assessment.
For Seattle, the optimal outcome is Darnold clearing pregame protocols and starting without limitation, preserving the offense’s rhythm going into a divisional playoff. If the injury affects pregame preparation or in-game comfort, expect play-calling and in-game management to shift toward lower-risk throws and protective schemes while the Seahawks manage the margin for error.
Sources
- The Seattle Times — Local newspaper coverage with team quotes and practice reporting.