Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Monday morning that starting quarterback Sam Darnold will miss his second consecutive game, ruling him out for Sunday’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Speaking to Seattle Sports, the team’s ESPN affiliate radio program, Macdonald clarified that Darnold is still recovering from a quad injury sustained during the Week 8 loss to the Chicago Bears, which also resulted in a cracked rib. The absence extends Darnold’s injury timeline, forcing the Seahawks to continue relying on their backup signal-caller for the critical NFC West showdown.
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Drew Lock, who has stepped into the starting role, is expected to take the field despite dealing with an oblique injury. Macdonald reported that Lock underwent a “good exam” and that the medical staff views the issue as a manageable condition rather than a game-time decision. Lock first felt the tightness during Seattle’s Week 9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals but remained on the field, with backup Jalen Milroe warming up as a precaution. The coaching staff’s confidence in Lock’s ability to manage the injury through the week suggests he will be the primary playmaker for Seattle’s offense in Las Vegas.
The injury update comes at a pivotal moment for the Seahawks, who improved to a 5-4 record following their win over Arizona. Currently sitting second in the NFC West, Seattle trails the dominant 7-1 San Francisco 49ers and cannot afford another drop in the standings. With Darnold sidelined, the pressure is squarely on Lock to maintain the offensive rhythm that secured the recent win, ensuring the Seahawks remain in contention for a playoff spot as the regular season progresses.
Source: Yahoo Sports
