{"id":729892,"date":"2026-02-04T23:17:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T23:17:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/729892\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T23:17:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T23:17:19","slug":"nfl-news-live-updates-ahead-of-super-bowl-2026-sam-darnold-optimistic-about-state-of-his-oblique-tom-brady-wonders-about-his-hof-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/729892\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL news, live updates ahead of Super Bowl 2026: Sam Darnold optimistic about state of his oblique; Tom Brady wonders about his HOF status"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re at the midway point of Super Bowl<\/a> week and intrigue remains over the injury status of the starting quarterbacks of the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.<\/p>\n

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold gave an update on his oblique injury, which he worked his way through nicely leading into the NFC championship game last month.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels really good,\u201d Darnold told reporters Wednesday<\/a>. \u201cDefinitely the time off has helped a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile the Patriots\u2019 Drake Maye even gave a demonstration on the health of his shoulder<\/a>, which has been a subject of fascination this week.<\/p>\n

Speaking of QBs, a former Patriot, often referred to as \u201cThe GOAT,\u201d weighed in Tuesday evening on his Hall of Fame status. Yep, even Tom Brady wants to know what\u2019s it take to get into Canton<\/a> after seeing Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick reportedly fail to make it into the HOF this year.<\/p>\n

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL news and injury updates leading up to Super Bowl LX.<\/p>\n

Live76 updates\"CrissWed, February 4, 2026 at 2:52 PM PST<\/p>\n

Criss Partee<\/p>\n

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner will join NBC\u2019s Super Bowl pregame show. Who better to give their analysis on this game, since the 49ers and Seahawks met three times this season. Warner only appeared in six games this year due to a fractured ankle suffered in October.<\/p>\n

Despite dealing with injuries all season, San Francisco ended the season with 12 wins and a wild card round victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. They were eliminated by Seattle in the divisional round, and went 1-2 in three matchups with their division rival. So, Shanahan and Warner should be able to provide great insight into this game.<\/p>\n

Wed, February 4, 2026 at 2:27 PM PST<\/p>\n

\"CrissWed, February 4, 2026 at 1:51 PM PST<\/p>\n

Criss Partee<\/p>\n

Legendary 49ers running back Roger Craig is getting his nod into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, according to a report from NBC Bay Area<\/a>. Like the names that didn\u2019t make it that were already leaked, Craig\u2019s potential induction may have also been leaked prematurely.<\/p>\n

In 1985, Craig became the first running back in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and gain 1,000 receiving yards. That season, Craig rushed for 1,050 yards and caught 92 receptions for 1,016 receiving yards. He had 15 total touchdowns that year and played in all 16 games.<\/p>\n

\"CrissWed, February 4, 2026 at 1:12 PM PST<\/p>\n

Criss Partee<\/p>\n

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has come a long way since being drafted as the No. 3 overall pick of the Jets in 2018. After three years in New York and two in Carolina, Darnold was viewed as a bust by many, and he reflected on that Wednesday while speaking to reporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not always going to be perfect,\u201d Darnold told members of the media.<\/p>\n

Wed, February 4, 2026 at 12:15 PM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

Wed, February 4, 2026 at 11:58 AM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald says that quarterback Sam Darnold is in a \u201cgreat spot\u201d with his oblique injury.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely gradually increasing by the day,\u201d McDonald said. \u201cSome days more than the others. But he\u2019s in a great spot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Darnold has been nearly flawless in Seattle\u2019s two playoff games en route to Super Bowl LX. In those two games, Darnold has completed close to 70% of his passes for 470 yards, 4 touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 122.4 passer rating.<\/p>\n

Wed, February 4, 2026 at 11:49 AM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

\"CrissWed, February 4, 2026 at 10:48 AM PST<\/p>\n

Criss Partee<\/p>\n

Seattle pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence is appreciating the opportunity he has to finally play in a Super Bowl in his first year with the Seahawks. Lawrence spent his first 11 NFL seasons in Dallas and never advanced past the divisional round of the postseason. His acquisition has been a huge factor in Seattle\u2019s magical season, with Lawrence\u2019s 53 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Lawrence also had two fumble recoveries he returned for touchdowns, which led the league.<\/p>\n

\"FrankWed, February 4, 2026 at 10:18 AM PST<\/p>\n

Frank Schwab<\/p>\n

SANTA CLARA, Calif. \u2014 We\u2019ll get to Josh McDaniels\u2019 head-coaching record in a moment, but first, he deserves some flowers.<\/p>\n

McDaniels is back in the Super Bowl,<\/a> which is a familiar spot for him. He is one of the few New England Patriots who have been a part of all six Super Bowl championship teams for the franchise. He was an assistant for the first three title teams (personnel assistant in 2001, defensive assistant in 2003, quarterbacks coach in 2004) and an offensive coordinator for the final three.<\/p>\n

This one is different, and potentially historic. McDaniels is back without head coach Bill Belichick or quarterback Tom Brady.<\/a> Now it\u2019s Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye, the latter of which McDaniels helped develop into an MVP candidate in Maye\u2019s second season.<\/a><\/p>\n

Having a huge season without Brady and taking Maye to a star level is impressive, and so is this: If the Patriots win Super Bowl LX,<\/a> it will be the fourth time McDaniels has won a Super Bowl ring as a coordinator. That would tie Steve Spagnuolo\u2019s NFL record for Super Bowl wins<\/a> as a coordinator. McDaniels doesn\u2019t turn 50 years old until April.<\/p>\n

More on McDaniels\u2019 strange, successful career<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Josh<\/p>\n

Josh McDaniels could win his seventh Super Bowl ring on Sunday, and his record-tying fourth as a coordinator. (Hassan Ahmad\/Yahoo Sports)<\/p>\n

\"ChrisWed, February 4, 2026 at 10:15 AM PST<\/p>\n

Chris Cwik<\/p>\n

Tom Brady cast doubt on his first-year Hall of Fame chances Tuesday, saying he should “be a little concerned” about missing the cut once he gets his name on the ballot.<\/p>\n

Brady made those comments during an appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on Tuesday. Brady was asked about both Bill Belichick’s and Robert Kraft’s reported misses from voters, and took issue with both men missing out on the Hall of Fame in their first years of eligibility.<\/p>\n

Near the end of his response about Kraft, Brady added, “Maybe it’s not trending so well for ex-Patriots<\/a>. Maybe I should be a little concerned here.”<\/p>\n

MORE<\/a><\/p>\n

Wed, February 4, 2026 at 9:52 AM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane is recovering from an ankle injury he aggravated during the AFC title game against the Broncos. He has a sunny disposition about being ready for the Seahawks on Super Sunday.<\/p>\n

Tue, February 3, 2026 at 7:53 PM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

Tue, February 3, 2026 at 7:39 PM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

That was the final score, capping the NFC\u2019s comeback from an 18-point deficit.<\/p>\n

Tue, February 3, 2026 at 7:28 PM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

Micah Parson\u2019s scooter, which he calls \u201cLightning McQueen,\u201d is having a moment at the Pro Bowl.<\/p>\n

It should be noted that Parsons complained about the officiating during his sideline interview.<\/p>\n

Tue, February 3, 2026 at 7:25 PM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

Tue, February 3, 2026 at 7:17 PM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

Tue, February 3, 2026 at 6:39 PM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

Tue, February 3, 2026 at 6:32 PM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

On a scramble, Shedeur Sanders was flagged for \u201cflag guarding.\u201d<\/p>\n

He rebounded on the same drive with a TD pass to Houston\u2019s Nico Collins.<\/p>\n

In a sideline interview with ESPN, Sanders denied flag guarding, saying he was instead trying to prevent defenders from stepping on his Nike Prime shoes.<\/p>\n

Tue, February 3, 2026 at 6:28 PM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

Tue, February 3, 2026 at 6:13 PM PST<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports<\/p>\n

Perhaps if the Broncos gave this guy the ball, they would\u2019ve put up more than 7 points in the AFC title game.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We\u2019re at the midway point of Super Bowl week and intrigue remains over the injury status of the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":729893,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2026],"tags":[833,7,63961,249,26954,1878,261,505,1369],"class_list":{"0":"post-729892","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-drake-maye","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-injury-status","11":"tag-new-england-patriots","12":"tag-oblique-injury","13":"tag-sam-darnold","14":"tag-seattle-seahawks","15":"tag-super-bowl","16":"tag-tom-brady"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116014918292212845","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/729892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=729892"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/729892\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/729893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=729892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=729892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=729892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}