Seahawks QB Sam Darnold ‘Ready to Go’ Despite Questionable Designation for Divisional Round vs. 49ers

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) reacts during the first half at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

RENTON, Wash. - For a few brief moments, 12s everywhere held their collective breaths with the Seattle Seahawks unexpectedly adding Sam Darnold to their final injury report with a new oblique injury just two days before their NFC Divisional Round rematch with the San Francisco 49ers.

But even with a questionable designation that suddenly put his status up in the air, in what should be music to the ears of fans everywhere, when asked about his chances of not starting for the Seahawks in their first playoff game since 2023, the quarterback promptly downplayed the possibility of him not being able to suit up on Saturday night.

“Very low percentage. Probably closer to zero,” Darnold smiled.

Coming off a bye week after earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC following a 13-3 win over the same 49ers squad less than two weeks ago, Darnold wasn’t listed on Seattle’s injury report after practice on Tuesday or Wednesday. However, he told reporters that he felt a tweak on a pass attempt while throwing routes on air early in Thursday’s final practice.

Rather than force the issue in a walkthrough-heavy session, Seattle opted to exercise caution with its starting quarterback, sending Darnold in for some rehab work for the remainder of practice. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who spoke with media before Darnold, didn’t have anything to offer on the injury, simply saying Drew Lock received some first-team reps with the starters to close out the week.

With two full days until kickoff, Darnold - who indicated he hasn’t had an oblique strain in the past - didn’t seem worried at all about the injury, believing he will be good to go with a bit of rest leading up to Saturday’s contest.

“It’s fun,” Darnold said with a tint of sarcasm. “We’ll attack it the next couple of days and we’ll be ready to go for Saturday.”

Based on Darnold’s own comments, the Seahawks shouldn’t have to fret about playing without their Pro Bowl quarterback in the biggest game at Lumen Field in more than a decade. But if he does play as expected, it will be interesting to see how much - if at all - the injury limits him on the field, especially considering he felt the injury while throwing a pass.

With Darnold acknowledging that the injury is on his left side, he likely will feel it most when he’s driving into a throw on his plant leg, which is the driving force behind generating power through the hips and torso to the throwing arm. Ultimately, how he performs will boil down to pain tolerance, and if it’s more of an annoyance than anything else, he should be able to fight through it. If it’s significant pain, however, that may be noticeable in the drive produced as he plants to unload the football.

As for a potential positive, while he likely will feel the oblique as a runner, the muscle strain shouldn’t have much of an impact on Darnold’s mobility, at least in terms of maneuvering in the pocket. Full speed sprinting may be a bit more cumbersome, though two extra days of treatment will be beneficial on that front as well.

Regardless, after receiving snaps in Thursday’s practice, Lock will have to be ready to roll in case the injury ends up being a bigger issue for Darnold than anticipated. The veteran signal caller offers plenty of game experience, including 28 starts under his belt during stints with the Broncos, Seahawks, and Giants, but has not started a game this season for Seattle and never attempted a pass or played a single snap in a postseason game in his seven-year NFL career.

As the Seahawks have done most of the season, rookie Jalen Milroe should also be listed as an emergency third quarterback and in uniform. Darnold and Lock would both have to be injured for him to be allowed to play and neither veteran could return to the game if that happens, but it does provide a bit more insurance in case something catastrophic happens on Saturday.