The Seattle Seahawks are suddenly facing uncertainty at quarterback after Sam Darnold appeared on the injury report just days before their divisional-round matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
The timing alone made the development unsettling. Darnold had started every regular-season game, guided Seattle to the NFC No. 1 seed, and earned a Pro Bowl nod, providing stability at a position that often defines playoff outcomes.
Then, late in the week, the 28-year-old was listed with an oblique injury, raising immediate questions about how secure the Seahawks truly feel heading into Saturday.
There has been no suggestion that Darnold is expected to miss the game, and the quarterback himself remains confident he will be ready.
Still, the decision to manage his workload following discomfort felt during Thursday’s practice was enough to shift the conversation. In the playoffs, even minor limitations can change preparation.
That uncertainty became more noticeable when offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak confirmed that backup quarterback Drew Lock had been receiving some first-team work. Asked whether that was out of the ordinary, Kubiak initially framed it as standard procedure.
“No, he’s gotten, you split them throughout the year,” he said.
When the focus turned specifically to this week, Kubiak clarified.
“Yes,” he added, “mostly in the walkthroughs.”
Lock’s reps reflect playoff caution
From Seattle‘s perspective, the approach is pragmatic. A divisional-round game against a familiar rival leaves little margin for improvisation, particularly at quarterback. If Darnold were to be limited or unavailable, the offence would need to function without hesitation.
Kubiak has long spoken positively about Lock, and he reiterated that belief this week.
“Drew‘s been really impressive throughout OTAs and training camp and in his role. Started a lot of football games, 28 games in the league. Lot of confidence in Drew. Brought him here for a reason,” Kubiak said.
Lock offers experience even if his recent game action has been minimal. A former second-round pick, he has appeared in 41 NFL games and started 28 across seven seasons.
During the 2025 regular season, his role was limited to five appearances, completing 2 of 3 passes for 15 yards. Those numbers do little to define his readiness, but his career résumé explains why Seattle views him as a credible fallback.
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