Seahawks Face Quarterback Uncertainty Ahead Of Playoff Showdown

The Seattle Seahawks are riding high into the NFC Divisional Round, but the week leading up to their much-anticipated clash with the San Francisco 49ers has been anything but smooth sailing. The top-seeded Seahawks, fresh off a 14-3 season that saw them clinch the NFC West and secure home-field advantage, suddenly found themselves facing a quarterback crisis just days before kickoff. With the city of Seattle buzzing and fans on edge, all eyes have turned to Sam Darnold—whose health has become the central storyline of this playoff showdown.

After three seasons without a playoff berth, head coach Mike Macdonald orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in his first year at the helm in 2024, guiding the Seahawks to double-digit wins but narrowly missing the postseason. Fast forward to 2025, and Macdonald’s squad not only matched the best record in the NFL but also earned the coveted No. 1 seed in the NFC. That achievement means every playoff game, until the Super Bowl, runs through Lumen Field—if the Seahawks can keep winning. But as the Divisional Round approached, a midweek injury report sent shockwaves through the Pacific Northwest.

During Thursday’s practice, Sam Darnold, the team’s Pro Bowl quarterback and offensive leader, felt a twinge in his oblique while throwing. He immediately stopped, opting not to push through the discomfort. "Wasn’t the day to push it. That was it. Just came inside, got some rehab. Feel like I’ll be ready to go for Saturday," Darnold explained to reporters on January 15, 2026. He emphasized, "Very low percentage. Probably closer to zero," when asked about the chances of sitting out the playoff game. For a team that has relied heavily on Darnold’s arm and poise all season, the prospect of him missing such a crucial game was a gut punch.

Head coach Mike Macdonald, speaking to the media on Friday, tried to calm the waters. "Really optimistic he’s going to be able to play and right now we’re going through all the protocol. One, just out of caution to make sure we’re ready to go and we’ll test it out tomorrow to kind of make the final decision. But again, we’re optimistic he’s going to play and if he doesn’t or at some point he doesn’t, then Drew’s (Lock) ready to go and that’s why Drew’s here. He’s doing a great job. So, we’re rolling," Macdonald stated. The coach added, "I mean, you talk to him, he’s confident that he’s going to be able to play, so we feel the same way."

Despite the public optimism, there were reasons for concern. Darnold hadn’t thrown a football since the injury, and backup quarterback Drew Lock had been taking first-team reps in practice for two straight days. Lock, a veteran with 28 career starts and a 10-18 record, has been mostly relegated to backup duties in Seattle, appearing in five games this season and throwing just three passes. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak expressed faith in Lock if called upon, saying, "Drew’s been really impressive throughout OTAs and training camp and in his role. A lot of confidence in Drew. Brought him here for a reason."

Still, the Seahawks’ hopes hinge on Darnold—who has enjoyed a career renaissance in Seattle. In 17 games this season, he completed 67.7% of his passes for 4,048 yards, tossing 25 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. His steady play was a driving force behind the Seahawks’ NFC West title and their rise to the conference’s top seed. This is a quarterback who has earned his second straight Pro Bowl nod and become the face of the franchise’s resurgence. As kickoff approached, the city collectively held its breath, waiting for final word on Darnold’s status.

The NFL’s injury designation rules added another wrinkle. With the league no longer using the ‘probable’ tag, Darnold was officially listed as ‘questionable’—a label that left plenty of room for speculation. Seattle planned to conduct a series of pregame tests on Saturday, January 17, to determine whether Darnold could go. If he couldn’t, Drew Lock would be thrust into the spotlight, with emergency quarterback Jalen Milroe also potentially active—a move that would signal deeper concerns about Darnold’s health.

"I feel good," Darnold insisted during his January 15 media session. "In routes on air, I just felt a little something in my oblique. I just didn’t want to push it. It wasn’t the day to push it, so that was it. I came inside, got some rehab, and I feel like I’ll be ready to go for Saturday." He added, "It’s fun. We’ll attack it the next couple of days and be ready to go on Saturday… It is what it is. I felt it on a throw, but we’ll be ready to go."

Coach Macdonald echoed his quarterback’s confidence but acknowledged the unpredictable nature of such injuries. "I think right now, he’s confident that he’s going to be able to go do his thing at 100 percent and we are too, but with these things, something could change between now and then or something can happen in game. So, kind of just have to roll with it. I don’t think we would put him out there if he couldn’t do his job. He’s going to be able to go do his job."

Meanwhile, other Seahawks dealing with injuries and illness during the week, including Charles Cross, Riq Woolen, and Ernest Jones IV, were all cleared to play, according to Macdonald. However, offensive lineman Josh Jones, tight end Elijah Arroyo, and linebacker Chazz Surratt were ruled out for the Divisional Round, with roster management decisions cited as the main reason for Arroyo and Surratt’s absence.

As the hours ticked down to the 5 p.m. PT kickoff at Lumen Field, Seahawks fans anxiously awaited the announcement of the team’s inactives—scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Eastern. The stakes couldn’t be higher: The winner of this matchup would advance to face either the Chicago Bears or Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game on January 25. If Seattle prevails, the conference title game will be held at home, further fueling dreams of a Super Bowl run.

For now, the drama centers on Sam Darnold’s oblique and whether the Seahawks’ playoff hopes will ride on his arm or fall to the steady hands of Drew Lock. One thing’s for sure—Seattle is ready to rally behind whichever quarterback takes the field, with a ferocious defense and a home crowd eager to make life difficult for the visiting 49ers. The stage is set for a classic postseason battle, and the city waits, holding its collective breath, for one final medical clearance.

With the Divisional Round looming, the Seahawks’ fate hangs in the balance. Will Sam Darnold be able to lead Seattle into the NFC Championship, or will Drew Lock be called upon to keep the dream alive? One way or another, the answer will come under the bright lights of Lumen Field, with everything on the line.