SEATTLE — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is listed as questionable for the NFC Divisional Round after being added to the injury report with an oblique injury sustained during practice this week.
Multiple reports say Darnold has not thrown a football since the injury, creating real uncertainty about his availability on game day.
What happened to Sam Darnold?
Darnold injured his oblique during a throwing session at practice. He was added to the injury report on Thursday and has been managed since then as the team evaluates how well he can throw without aggravating the injury.
Seattle has not publicly described the injury as season-ending, but head coach Mike Macdonald and the team have acknowledged they don’t know for sure whether Darnold will be able to go until he tests it.
Is Sam Darnold playing today?
As of the latest official injury report, Darnold is questionable with limited participation listed due to the oblique.
Darnold has publicly expressed confidence that he can play, but reports indicate he has prioritized treatment and rehab rather than pushing full throwing workload leading into the game.
Why an oblique injury matters for a quarterback
Oblique injuries can be tricky for QBs because the core is involved in almost everything: generating torque, driving the ball, and maintaining mechanics under pressure. Even if a quarterback can “gut it out,” pain or tightness can affect velocity and accuracy—especially on deep outs, seam throws, and off-platform passes.
What happens if Darnold can’t go?
If Darnold is unable to start, Drew Lock is the next man up and has taken first-team reps in practice as Seattle prepares for both scenarios.
Reuters also noted rookie Jalen Milroe as another quarterback on the depth chart behind Lock.
What to watch for pregame
For fans trying to read the tea leaves, the biggest tell will be Darnold’s ability to make full-speed throws in warmups. If he’s limited to short throws or reduced velocity early, Seattle could be forced to adjust its game plan quickly. Several reports indicate the team expects a true game-day test to determine whether he can start.
Why this is a major storyline for Seattle
Seattle’s offense is built around timing, play-action, and Darnold’s ability to push the ball when defenses load the box. With the postseason on the line, even a small limitation at quarterback can change how aggressive a team is on third down and in the red zone.
For now, the Seahawks are preparing for a Darnold start while keeping Lock ready, with Darnold officially in the “questionable” category heading into the divisional matchup.
