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Darnold Set to Return Against Commanders
Confirmed
In Short: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is expected to return to the field against the Washington Commanders in Week 3, after missing the previous game due to a glute injury.
Coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday that Darnold was 'on a good track' to play against the Commanders.
The Seahawks won their first two games with backup quarterback Drew Lock, who threw for 187 yards and a touchdown in relief of Darnold during Week 1.
Darnold's injury occurred on the opening drive of the season-opening victory over the New England Patriots.
Darnold's return is seen as a positive for the Seahawks, as the Commanders' defense ranks 27th in points allowed and last in quarterback rating allowed.
However, the Seahawks' defense will be without both starting safeties, as Julian Love is out with a calf injury and Ty Okada is sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Darnold's recovery has been impressive, with coach Macdonald noting the speed at which he has returned.
The Seahawks will face the Commanders on Sunday, with the game starting at 10 a.m.
Darnold's return is expected to bolster the Seahawks' offense, which has struggled without him.
The Seahawks have managed to start 2-0 despite Darnold's absence, largely due to Lock's performance.
Lock has completed 72.9 percent of his passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns without getting picked off this season.
Background
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald provided an update on quarterback Sam Darnold's injury status, hinting that Darnold may return to practice this week and could potentially play in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders.
The Washington Commanders will start Marcus Mariota against the Seahawks while they assess Jayden Daniels' dislocated elbow.
What's confirmed
- Coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday that Darnold was 'on a good track' to play against the Commanders.
- The Seahawks won their first two games with backup quarterback Drew Lock, who threw for 187 yards and a touchdown in relief of Darnold during Week 1.
- Darnold's injury occurred on the opening drive of the season-opening victory over the New England Patriots.
- Darnold's return is seen as a positive for the Seahawks, as the Commanders' defense ranks 27th in points allowed and last in quarterback rating allowed.
- However, the Seahawks' defense will be without both starting safeties, as Julian Love is out with a calf injury and Ty Okada is sidelined by a hamstring injury.
- Darnold's recovery has been impressive, with coach Macdonald noting the speed at which he has returned.
- The Seahawks will face the Commanders on Sunday, with the game starting at 10 a.m.
- Darnold's return is expected to bolster the Seahawks' offense, which has struggled without him.
- The Seahawks have managed to start 2-0 despite Darnold's absence, largely due to Lock's performance.
- Lock has completed 72.9 percent of his passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns without getting picked off this season.
What's still developing
- Some might wonder why the need to have Darnold back on the field quickly if he is at all limited in practice, which he was on Wednesday.
- First, the Seahawks won't push Darnold to play if his body isn't ready.
- Lock is 10-18 in games he’s started across stints with the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Seahawks.
- The timetable for Darnold’s recovery isn’t exactly clear, with NBC’s Mike Florio reporting it to be in the 4-6 week range, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting that returning for Week 3 against the Washington Commanders is still potentially in play.
- Six-year veteran Drew Lock is expected to fill in as Seattle’s quarterback in place of Darnold, with second-year quarterback Jalen Milroe also an option.
- On Thursday, Darnold revealed that he feared his season might be over and his long-term career could be impacted immediately after suffering the injury (via Henderson).
- NFL insider Tom Pelissero previously reported the Seahawks were initially worried that Darnold fractured his hip socket, which would have been a major injury.
- Now, he'll only miss one week of action before returning to the defending Super Bowl champions.
- The Seattle Seahawks are on the road in Week 3, set to take on the Washington Commanders in the first of just two scheduled 10am starts.
- After missing most of the opener and the Week 2 matchup against Arizona, Darnold will be back under center in Week 3.
- Sam Darnold is set to lead the Seahawks offense just over two weeks since suffering what many initially feared might be a serious injury early on in the season-opening win over the New England Patriots.
- Sam Darnold is back, but the Seahawks’ safety injuries continue.