Seahawks Face Quarterback Uncertainty Ahead Of 49ers Clash

The Seattle Seahawks are facing the kind of late-week drama that every NFL playoff contender dreads. Just days before their much-anticipated Divisional Round showdown against the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle’s Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold was added to the injury report with an oblique injury. The timing couldn’t be worse for the NFC’s top seed, who are set to host the 49ers at Lumen Field on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in a game with a trip to the NFC Championship on the line.

Darnold’s injury surfaced suddenly during Thursday’s practice. Midway through a routes-on-air period, he felt "a little something" in his left-side oblique while throwing. "Just didn't want to push it," Darnold told reporters, according to multiple sources including ESPN and Hawk Blogger. "Wasn't the day to push it. So that was it. Just came inside, got some rehab, and I feel like I'll be ready to go for Saturday." The Seahawks listed Darnold as a limited participant and designated him as questionable for Saturday’s critical matchup.

For a team that had just enjoyed the luxury of a first-round bye—an advantage earned by clinching the NFC West and the No. 1 seed with a 13-3 victory over these very same 49ers in Week 18—the uncertainty around their starting quarterback has instantly become the weekend’s headline story. Playoff weeks are all about certainty, and there’s nothing more unsettling than a quarterback’s health being up in the air just before kickoff.

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, when asked about Darnold’s injury, chose to defer all questions to head coach Mike Macdonald, who was scheduled to address the media on Friday. However, Kubiak did explain the challenge of an oblique injury for a quarterback: rotational movement, throwing mechanics, rolling out, and even taking contact can all be affected. That’s a nightmare scenario against a San Francisco defense built to generate pressure and disrupt timing.

Backup Drew Lock, a 29-year-old veteran with 41 career NFL games and 28 starts, was pressed into action during Thursday’s practice, taking first-team reps as a precaution. Lock’s experience includes a memorable last-minute win for Seattle over the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 when he stepped in for an injured Geno Smith. Still, Lock has seen only limited action this season, completing 2 of 3 passes for 15 yards in five appearances. "I know Drew Lock is a solid backup," said Seattle Sports analyst Michael Bumpus. "We’ve seen him come in and play on Monday Night Football and do his thing. But, you know, Drew hasn’t gotten the reps."

If Darnold can’t go or is limited, the Seahawks’ offensive approach could shift dramatically. Oblique injuries can sap a quarterback’s ability to zip passes, especially deep shots or those thrown on the run. Seattle has also prepared rookie Jalen Milroe, a third-round pick, as their emergency QB3, underscoring the coaching staff’s readiness for any scenario.

Darnold, for his part, has been adamant about his availability. When asked what percentage chance he might not play Saturday, he replied, "Very low percentage. Probably closer to zero." He further emphasized, "We'll attack it the next couple days and be ready to go for Saturday." Darnold also noted that he’s never previously dealt with an oblique injury, but he’s confident in the rehab process and the team’s medical staff.

Seattle’s injury report also includes some notable absences and returns. Backups Elijah Arroyo (tight end), Chazz Surratt (linebacker), and Josh Jones (tackle) have all been ruled out. On the plus side, left tackle Charles Cross and safety Coby Bryant are set to return after missing multiple games, bolstering the Seahawks’ lineup for the high-stakes clash.

Darnold’s 2025 season has been nothing short of impressive. After signing with Seattle in March following a trade that sent Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, Darnold started every game, guiding the Seahawks to a 14-3 record—the same mark he posted last year with the Minnesota Vikings. His stat line: 323 completions on 477 attempts (67.7%), 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. For the second straight year, he earned a Pro Bowl nod. However, he also led all NFL players with 20 turnovers, a stat the 49ers’ ball-hawking defense will no doubt look to exploit.

This playoff start will be the second of Darnold’s eight-year NFL career. His first, last January, ended in disappointment as he was sacked nine times in a wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Darnold acknowledged that the stakes are high but echoed head coach Mike Macdonald’s mantra of treating this week like any other. "We're treating it [as] just another week, another game," Darnold said. "We've got such great guys in that locker room, mature leaders at every position group. So everyone's just ready to go, attacking the week, per usual, and getting ready to go up against a really good 49ers team that's been rolling, and we're excited to go up against them."

Seattle’s Week 18 win over the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium, which clinched the division and top seed, felt like a playoff game in itself. Darnold described the atmosphere as electric and expects Lumen Field to be even more raucous this Saturday. "Being able to use cadence is going to be huge, and then having our 12s there making noise when they're on offense is crucial," he said. "So, it's going to be an awesome atmosphere and something we're all looking forward to."

For Seahawks fans, this will be the first playoff game at Lumen Field with a full house since January 2017. The only other home playoff game since then was during the 2020 COVID-19 season, played in an empty stadium. Darnold knows what’s at stake: "We know Lumen's going to be rocking. It's an important game. We don't get it twisted at all. We understand the implications of the game. The playoffs, it's awesome to be playing in games like this, especially in January. But yeah, we're treating this week as another week and we're excited about it."

As kickoff approaches, all eyes remain on Darnold’s health. The consensus among teammates, coaches, and Darnold himself is that he’ll suit up and lead the Seahawks. But with backup plans in place and the 49ers looming as a fierce rival, Seattle must be ready for anything. One thing’s for sure: the drama is far from over as the Seahawks look to keep their Super Bowl dreams alive.