In a thrilling lead-up to the playoffs, Seattle Seahawks' Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold is optimistic about his chances of playing against the San Francisco 49ers this Saturday, despite suffering from an oblique injury. The injury occurred during practice on Thursday when Darnold reported feeling a slight discomfort in the left side of his abdomen while throwing a pass in a routes-on-air drill. To prioritize his health, he decided to exit practice early as a precaution.
"I just didn't want to push it today," Darnold explained. "It wasn't the right time to take any risks. I came inside, got some rehab, and I genuinely feel prepared for Saturday's game."
For the Seahawks, Darnold was categorized as a limited participant in practice. Other players on the team with game status designations include tight end Elijah Arroyo, linebacker Chazz Surratt, and tackle Josh Jones, all of whom have been ruled out. On a more positive note, left tackle Charles Cross and safety Coby Bryant are set to return after missing several games due to injuries.
When asked how likely he thinks it is that he wouldn’t be able to take the field on Saturday, Darnold confidently stated, "The chances are extremely low—probably closer to zero."
Backing him up is veteran quarterback Drew Lock, while rookie Jalen Milroe serves as the third-string quarterback for the Seahawks. Darnold mentioned that he is unfamiliar with oblique injuries but plans to receive treatment leading up to game time. He added, "We’ll focus on recovery in the next few days to ensure I'm ready for Saturday."
Having joined the Seahawks in March following a trade that sent Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, Darnold is poised to make his second-ever playoff start in his eight-season NFL career. He echoed sentiments shared by head coach Mike Macdonald about maintaining composure amid the playoff excitement. "We’re treating this as just another week and another game," Darnold said. "With the incredible talent and maturity in our locker room, everyone is focused and ready to prepare for a formidable 49ers team that has been performing well. We’re eager for the challenge."
In their previous matchup during Week 18 at Levi’s Stadium, the Seahawks defeated the 49ers, thereby clinching the NFC West title and securing the top seed in the conference. That victory brought Seattle's regular-season record to an impressive 14-3, paralleling Darnold's achievements from the previous year with the Minnesota Vikings, where he also enjoyed a successful season that led to his first Pro Bowl selection.
This year, Darnold earned another Pro Bowl nod, completing 67.7% of his passes for a total of 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns, while also leading all NFL players with 20 turnovers.
In his previous playoff appearance last January, Darnold faced a challenging game against the Los Angeles Rams, where he was sacked nine times, resulting in a heartbreaking wild-card loss. Reflecting on the intensity of the Week 18 win over the 49ers, he noted that the atmosphere felt like a playoff game given the stakes and the roaring crowd at Levi’s Stadium.
Looking ahead to the rematch, the Seahawks will enjoy the advantage of home-field support. "Being able to use our cadence effectively is going to be vital, and having our fans, the 12s, creating noise when the 49ers are on offense will be crucial," Darnold emphasized. "The atmosphere is going to be electric, and we are all looking forward to it."
This playoff game will mark the first chance for fans to pack Lumen Field since January 2017, making it a highly anticipated event. The only other home playoff game since then occurred at the close of the COVID-19-impacted 2020 season, where the Seahawks fell to the Rams in a silent stadium.
"We know Lumen Field is going to be buzzing," Darnold stated. "This is a significant game, and we absolutely recognize its importance. The playoffs are special, and it feels fantastic to compete in games like this, especially during January. However, we are approaching this week like any other, and we are excited to dive into the competition."
But here's where it gets controversial: Can Darnold truly maintain his focus amidst such overwhelming pressure? Will the energy of the fans elevate his performance, or add more stress to an already intense situation? As the Seahawks gear up for this pivotal matchup, what are your thoughts on how they’ll fare against the 49ers? Share your opinions in the comments below!
