There are a lot of unknowns surrounding Sam Darnold’s injury ahead of the Seattle Seahawks‘ playoff matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Hours before kickoff, ESPN’s Adam Schefter issued an update on Darnold that could have Seahawks fans concerned.
Darnold has not thrown a football since sustaining an oblique injury on Thursday, January 15, 2026, potentially putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback’s pregame warmup routine. It is worth noting that this does not mean Darnold cannot throw the ball, but 12s would likely love to know that the quarterback will not be limited against the Niners.
“Seahawks QB Sam Darnold hasn’t thrown a football since he hurt his oblique Thursday,” Schefter detailed in a January 17, update on X. “The Seahawks believe, but don’t know, that he will be OK to start tonight’s game vs. the 49ers.
“Backup QB Drew Lock took the reps the past two days and is ready if needed.”
Darnold is officially listed as questionable, but the quarterback has emphasized his expectation that he will play tonight against the 49ers. Drew Lock would get the start if Darnold surprisingly sustains a setback before kickoff.
Here’s the latest on Darnold’s injury ahead of the Seahawks’ rivalry clash against the 49ers.
Will Seahawks QB Sam Darnold Play Today vs. 49ers in NFL Playoffs?
Darnold’s status is officially listed as questionable, but it is important to remember the NFL no longer has a probable designation. The plan for Darnold is to go through a pregame workout routine before officially determining his status for the divisional round matchup.
Both Darnold and head coach Mike Macdonald have emphasized the expectation that the quarterback will play. The Seahawks are expected to reveal the team’s inactive players at about 6:30 p.m. Eastern, less than two hours before kickoff.
Who Will Start at Quarterback for the Seahawks If Sam Darnold Does Not Play?
The Seahawks have Lock and Jalen Milroe on the roster behind Darnold. Lock took reps with the first-team offense when Darnold exited Thursday’s practice.
Milroe has primarily been listed as the emergency quarterback on gameday this season, a rule that allows the rookie to be the only quarterback to play once inserted into the game. This does not technically make Milroe active for games, but this could change for the divisional round matchup.
“I think right now, he’s confident that he’s going to be able to go do his thing at 100% and we are too, but with these things, something could change between now and then or something can happen in game,” Macdonald admitted to reporters on January 16, per Seahawks.com’s Ari Horton.
“So, kind of just have to roll with it. … I don’t think we would put him out there if he couldn’t do his job. He’s going to be able to go do his job.”
What Happened to Sam Darnold? When Did Seahawks QB Sustain an Injury?
There continues to be a bit of mystery surrounding Darnold’s injury. Darnold revealed that the injury occurred while throwing against “air” during Thursday’s practice. This means it was a non-contact injury, but it was concerning enough for Darnold to leave practice.
“Just didn’t want to push it,” Darnold said of his injury on January 15, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson. “Wasn’t the day to push it. So that was it. Just came inside, got some rehab, and I feel like I’ll be ready to go for Saturday.”
Insider Dishes Telling News on Sam Darnold’s Injury Hours Before 49ers-Seahawks