A nightmare scenario seems to be unfolding in Seattle.
On Saturday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s status for tonight’s playoff game vs. the 49ers remains uncertain as he tends to an oblique injury. Former Giants backup Drew Lock has taken first-team reps and could start if needed.
“Seahawks QB Sam Darnold hasn’t thrown a football since he hurt his oblique Thursday,” Schefter wrote on X/Twitter. The Seahawks believe, but don’t know, that he will be OK to start tonight’s game vs. the 49ers. Backup QB Drew Lock took the reps the past two days and is ready if needed.”
Darnold was a surprise addition to the injury report after sustaining an oblique injury during practice on Thursday. The injury occurred during a “routes on air” drill, prompting the former Jets quarterback to exit early as a precautionary measure and earn a “questionable” designation.
Despite the strain, Darnold has remained confident, stating there is “closer to zero” percent chance he misses the game.
While Lock took first-team reps on Friday to ensure readiness, both head coach Mike Macdonald and league insiders expect Darnold to start tonight, even though reports seem to point to the contrary.
In the last two seasons, Darnold has had a remarkable career turnaround, evolving from Jets bust to a two-time Pro Bowler.
Last season, he led the Vikings to a 14–3 record, throwing for a career-high 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns. Continuing this momentum in 2025 with the Seahawks, Darnold, again finshe the season with 14–3 record and the NFC’s No. 1 seed, passing for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns.
His back-to-back 14-win campaigns made him one of only two quarterbacks in NFL history to achieve the feat in consecutive seasons, joining Tom Brady, and he remains the only quarterback to lead two different franchises to 13 or more wins in back-to-back years.