Sam Darnold injury update: Seahawks QB has not been throwing, per report
- - Sam Darnold injury update: Seahawks QB has not been throwing, per report
Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY January 17, 2026 at 9:29 PM
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has not thrown a football since injuring his oblique Thursday, according to ESPN.
The report said the Seahawks believe Darnold will start Saturday's NFC divisional-round game against the San Francisco 49ers (8 p.m. ET, FOX) but were not certain. Backup Drew Lock took first-team reps since Darnold's injury, per ESPN.
Darnold is listed as questionable on the official injury report. He helped the Seahawks to a 14-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Darnold said there was "close to zero percent" chance he would not play against San Francisco.
"Kind of just felt a little something on that oblique, just didn't want to push it," Darnold said. "Wasn't the day to push it so that was it. So I just came inside, got some rehab and feel like I'll be ready to go for Saturday."
Darnold finished the regular season with 25 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions and a 67.7 completion percentage while throwing for 4,048 yards. The matchup against the Niners would be his second playoff start and a chance for redemption after last year's calamitous wild-card performance as a member of the Minnesota Vikings against the Los Angeles Rams.
Drew Lock is Seattle Seahawks' backup QB
If Darnold cannot go, it will be up to Lock to lead the Seahawks to the NFC Championship Game. Lock has appeared in just five games this season. The 2019 second-round pick is in his second stint with Seattle, as he started two games for them in 2023, one of which was a victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on "Monday Night Football." Lock started five games for the New York Giants in 2024.
1 / 64NFL weather games: Football played in adverse conditions ❄️🌧️Dec. 7, 2025: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) communicates between plays against the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium. Despite a heavy snowfall, the Bills and Bengals played a high-scoring game, which was won by Buffalo, 39-34.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sam Darnold injury updates: Seahawks QB has not thrown, per report
Source: “AOL Sports”
