The Seattle Seahawks' playoff hopes might just hinge on a player battling through the pain! Quarterback Sam Darnold is officially active and starting in their crucial divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers. But here's the kicker: he's nursing an oblique injury that had him listed as questionable right up until game time. Will he be able to perform at his best, or will this injury severely hamper the Seahawks' chances?
This report comes to us from ESPN's Brady Henderson, who has been covering the Seahawks since 2017 after previously reporting on the team for Seattle Sports 710-AM. His expertise gives us an inside look at this developing situation.
Darnold's participation was anticipated, according to both him and Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, despite the oblique injury. However, the extent to which this injury might affect his performance remains a big question mark. And this is the part most people miss... how much does an oblique injury really impact a quarterback's ability to throw? It can affect everything from power to accuracy, and even the ability to rotate properly during a throw.
Adding to the intrigue, Darnold took the field for the first time just 47 minutes before kickoff, noticeably absent from the team's earlier warm-up routines. General Manager John Schneider addressed the situation on his pregame radio appearance on Seattle Sports 710-AM. "It's just something he's never experienced before," Schneider explained, referring to the oblique issue. "...He's had a lot of people he's talked to. I think it was just more precautionary stuff going on. It's one of those things that Sam's never had, but luckily our medical staff is experienced with it, so we move forward." It's reassuring to hear the medical staff is prepared, but can they really mitigate the impact of the injury during a high-stakes playoff game?
Drew Lock is prepped and ready as Darnold's backup, providing a safety net should Darnold's injury prove too debilitating. The injury occurred during Thursday's practice when Darnold reported feeling "a little something" in his left side while throwing during a routes-on-air drill. He wisely left practice as a precaution and was subsequently listed as limited. Despite the setback, Darnold expressed confidence, telling reporters he had "close to zero doubt" he'd be able to play. That's the kind of confidence you want to see, but can he back it up on the field?
Remember that Week 18 game where the Seahawks triumphed over the 49ers with a score of 13-3? That victory secured their NFC West title and the coveted No. 1 seed in the conference. They'll be hoping to recapture that magic, but with a potentially compromised quarterback.
For those curious about who won't be suiting up for the Seahawks, here's the list of inactives: quarterback Jalen Milroe, tackle Josh Jones (knee), defensive end Rylie Mills, guard Bryce Cabeldue, guard/tackle Mason Richman, and outside linebacker Jared Ivey. It's worth noting that Milroe is designated as the emergency third quarterback, meaning he can only enter the game if both Darnold and Lock are unable to play. This is a relatively new rule designed to prevent teams from being completely crippled by quarterback injuries.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that starting Darnold, even with an injury, is a strategic gamble. Others believe it's reckless and puts the team at unnecessary risk. What do you think? Is it a smart move to start an injured Darnold in such a crucial game, or should the Seahawks have opted for a fully healthy Drew Lock? Sound off in the comments below!
