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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold says he fully expects to suit up Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers despite popping up on the injury report late in the week with an oblique issue. The Pro Bowl passer exited Thursday’s practice after feeling discomfort in his left-side oblique during a throwing period and was listed as limited and questionable for the Divisional Round matchup. While the timing stirred concern for Seattle on the eve of its first home playoff game with fans since 2017, both the team and Darnold project optimism that he will play as the NFC’s top seed looks to advance.
Darnold Addresses Setback and Availability
Darnold described the injury as something he noticed while throwing routes on air and chose not to aggravate. He stepped away for treatment rather than pushing through practice, calling it the smart choice given the stakes. He told reporters that he feels confident in his ability to go and placed the odds of missing Saturday at “very low… probably closer to zero.” Darnold has not dealt with an oblique injury before, but he plans to continue treatment and attack rehab leading into kickoff. Backup Drew Lock handled first-team reps in Darnold’s absence Thursday and would start if needed, with rookie Jalen Milroe available as QB3.
Roster Implications and Injury Report Notes
Seattle listed Darnold as the lone offensive starter with a game designation and ruled out Elijah Arroyo, Chazz Surratt and Josh Jones, all depth pieces rather than primary contributors. The Seahawks expect left tackle Charles Cross and safety Coby Bryant to return after multi-game absences, stabilizing the lineup against a San Francisco defense known for pressure. Across the field, the 49ers ruled out linebacker Fred Warner and safety Ji’Ayir Brown, while several others carry questionable tags heading into Saturday.
High-Stakes Rematch at Lumen Field
The matchup doubles as a rematch of Seattle’s Week 18 road win at Levi’s Stadium that sealed both the NFC West title and top seed. Darnold called the atmosphere playoff-like and believes that home-field advantages—particularly cadence control and crowd noise—will matter in the postseason environment. Seattle finished the regular season 14–3 behind Darnold’s efficient year: a 67.7 percent completion rate, 4,000-plus yards and 25 touchdowns, as well as a second straight Pro Bowl selection. His playoff history is limited, with his lone prior postseason start ending in a loss last January. Still, Darnold echoed head coach Mike Macdonald’s message of treating the week normally despite the stakes, crediting leadership within the locker room for maintaining focus.
Outlook Toward Saturday
While Seattle prefers certainty at quarterback, all signs suggest Darnold will be ready to lead the offense with a trip to the NFC Championship on the line. Lock remains a viable contingency but has seen minimal game action this season, making Darnold’s availability a priority for a unit built around rhythm and timing. As the Seahawks prepare for their loudest home stage in nearly a decade, the lingering question is not whether Darnold will play, but how limited—if at all—he will be once the game kicks off.
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