JANUARY 17: Darnold has not thrown since hurting his oblique on Thursday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, though NFL Network’s Steve Wyche indicates the Seahawks shut him down out of an abundance of caution. It is an injury that the veteran quarterback has never dealt with before, but he team is optimistic that Darnold will play on Saturday night against the 49ers, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
JANUARY 16: Playing the first season of a three-year, $100.5MM contract, quarterback Sam Darnold helped guide the Seahawks to a 14-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Seahawks are preparing for a rubber match against the NFC West rival 49ers on Saturday, but Darnold unexpectedly popped up on the injury report Thursday. He’s questionable with an oblique issue, per Brady Henderson of ESPN.com.
Darnold, who said he “felt a little something” on his left side, practiced on a limited basis Thursday. The two-time Pro Bowler is fully confident he’ll play Saturday. If not, the Seahawks will turn to veteran backup Drew Lock. Considering Darnold hasn’t missed a game since 2023, it would be a major surprise to see Lock under center versus San Francisco.
Between his time with the Vikings last year and his work with the Seahawks this season, Darnold has helped his teams to an incredible 28-6 record since 2024.
Once considered a bust, the former No. 3 overall pick of the Jets surpassed 4,000 yards for the second straight year in 2025. He ranked third in yards per attempt (8.5), threw 25 touchdowns and posted a 99.1 passer rating, though he did toss the third-most interceptions in the league (14).
Darnold didn’t throw a pick in either of the Seahawks-49ers regular-season matchups, which the teams split, but his production was unspectacular. He combined to go 36 of 49 for 348 yards and no touchdowns. Darnold will aim for better numbers in the teams’ third and final showdown of the season while attempting to rebound from an ugly playoff loss with the Vikings last January. The Rams sacked Darnold nine times in a 27-9 blowout in the wild-card round. He went 25 of 40 for 245 yards, a TD and a pick.
Darnold’s rough showing against the Rams ended his tenure with Minnesota, which allowed him to depart in free agency. Darnold’s Seahawks contract includes incentives that he has already collected, as Henderson details. Seattle’s offense finished eighth in the league, which earned Darnold $500K. He racked up another $500K in incentives for passing yards, completion rate and a playoff berth. Postseason win incentives are still on the table for Darnold, who will make his second career playoff start Saturday. That’s assuming his oblique injury doesn’t stand in the way.
This man is feeling the pressure
It’s San Francisco that’ll feel the pressure when the noise fades in as soon as the 49ers get the ball.
There’s no pressure brother. At all. The niners season was already a success.
Great comeback Spencer! Nice job! 👍
@Chucky, you’re gonna eat those words. Saleh is gonna bring the heat after Darnold!
You’ve never watched a game from Seattle. Every time the opposition gets the ball, there’s a wall of noise all around. It’s been that way going back at least to the Jay Feely Game. (Giants-Seahawks, 2005)
I was at that game….good memories. You are right thatcwas the game it really started.
Sounds like a bit of a smoke screen but Seattle must be kidding themselves if they think the 49ers would waste even 5 minutes working on a game plan to defend against Drew Lock.
There will be no excuses. Either Darnold gets it done or he wont. I thinks the Seahawks win.
The good news is that an oblique injury wont bother a qb that much, right?
Uh no…it limits a qbs throwing. Effects the passing game
…sarcasm
Wasn’t sure..lol have a good one
He already said he is playing when it happen. If it was major he wouldn’t have been allowed to talk to media the same day. No duh he didn’t throw on Friday, walk through no point risking. They know the gameplay is heavy run and they just played the team. Heis not going to forget how to throw.