Here’s a bombshell for Seahawks fans: Sam Darnold, the team’s starting quarterback, has been added to the injury report with an oblique issue, leaving his status for Saturday’s Divisional Round clash against the 49ers in serious doubt. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite being officially listed as questionable, Darnold himself insists there’s ‘close to a zero-percent chance’ he won’t play, sparking debates about whether he’s downplaying the injury or genuinely ready to go.
During Thursday’s practice, Darnold was spotted using a Theragun on his side, brushing off concerns with a casual ‘Nothing to see here.’ Yet, his absence allowed backup quarterback Drew Lock to take some first-team snaps, raising questions about the team’s contingency plan. And this is the part most people miss: Darnold hasn’t missed a game since the 2023 season, starting all 17 regular-season games this year, making this injury report particularly noteworthy.
The 28-year-old Pro Bowl QB has been a standout in his first season with Seattle, throwing for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, while leading the Seahawks to the NFC’s top seed. His durability and performance have been pivotal, but this oblique injury—though seemingly minor—could be a wildcard in a high-stakes playoff matchup.
Beyond Darnold, the Seahawks are relatively healthy, with only offensive tackle Josh Jones ruled out due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, the team’s season series with the 49ers has been a rollercoaster, splitting their two meetings: a Week 1 loss in Seattle and a Week 18 victory in Santa Clara that clinched the NFC West title.
Here’s the burning question: Is Darnold’s confidence in playing a sign of toughness, or is he risking further injury by pushing through? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—is this a minor setback or a potential turning point in the Seahawks’ playoff run?
