The Seattle Seahawks revealed a scare late in the week by announcing that quarterback Sam Darnold was listed as questionable to play against the San Francisco 49ers in today’s NFL playoff matchup. Darnold is dealing with a new oblique injury, initially putting his playing status in doubt.
Darnold is now officially active against the 49ers, indicating the Pro Bowl quarterback will play. Jalen Milroe was not activated and will serve as the team’s emergency quarterback. This would seem to indicate that Seattle is confident Darnold will be able to play at a high level against the Niners.
Darnold estimated that his chances of not playing tonight was close to 0%. Yet, the Seahawks quarterback needed to go through a series of pregame tests to prove his health.
Assuming there is no setback, Darnold is expected to play tonight against the 49ers. As a reminder, the NFL no longer has the probable injury designation, which sounds like what Darnold would have been listed as if this were an option.
The bigger question is how effective Darnold will be while battling the injury.
Here’s what you need to know about Darnold’s injury.
Sam Darnold on Playing in 49ers vs. Seahawks Game: ‘We’ll Be Ready to Go’
Darnold has attempted to downplay the severity of his oblique issue, but it is less than ideal for a team’s starting quarterback to sustain an injury with Seattle just one game away from the NFC Championship. Similar to Week 18, fans can expect a heavy dose of the Seahawks’ rushing attack against the Niners.
“I feel good,” Darnold remarked on his injury during a January 15, 2026, media session, per Seahawks.com. “In routes on air, I just felt a little something in my oblique. I just didn’t want to push it. It wasn’t the day to push it, so that was it. I came inside, got some rehab, and I feel like I’ll be ready to go for Saturday.”
“… It’s fun. We’ll attack it the next couple of days and be ready to go on Saturday… It is what it is. I felt it on a throw, but we’ll be ready to go.”
Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald on Sam Darnold’s Status: ‘Really Optimistic He’s Going to be Able to Play’
If for some reason Darnold is unable to play, the Seahawks are expected to turn to backup quarterback Drew Lock. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald sounded optimistic about Darnold’s status while also leaving the door open for Lock playing if the quarterback does not feel like himself.
“Really optimistic he’s going to be able to play and right now we’re going through all the protocol,” Macdonald said of Darnold during a January 16, press conference, per Seahawks.com’s Ari Horton. “One, just out of caution to make sure we’re ready to go and we’ll test it out tomorrow to kind of make the final decision.
“But again, we’re optimistic he’s going to play and if he doesn’t or at some point he doesn’t, then Drew’s ready to go and that’s why Drew’s here. He’s doing a great job. So, we’re rolling.”
Sam Darnold’s Injury Update: Is Seahawks QB Playing Today vs. 49ers?