Drew

Lock

The Seahawks’ backup quarterback is dealing with an injury in his throwing arm, so any calls for Sam Darnold’s benching will have to quiet down. Seahawks S Nick Emmanwori (hip), LB DeMarcus Lawrence (knee) and LB Uchenna Nwosu (hip) are questionable. The Seahawks ruled out Chazz Surratt (calf) and LB DrakeThomas (ankle).

The Seahawks’ head coach stood by his quarterback today, saying Darnold is “definitely part of the solution” to the offense’s recent struggles. Darnold returned somewhat quickly from a glute tendon strain a couple of weeks ago. One wonders if he is still rounding back into form following the early-season ailment. Backup Drew Lock played well in his stead, but the Seahawks believe their Super Bowl-winning quarterback should keep his job. That makes sense to us. He’s a QB2 next week against the Chiefs.

This means Darnold will likely be listed as a limited participant today. The plan is to ramp him up as the week goes on, and Macdonald said the team would like to have a decision by Friday on whether Darnold will face the Commanders this week. The Seahawks’ quarterback has been sidelined since straining a glute tendon in Week 1. He will probably need to be treated as a QB2 with QB1 upside in his first game back, but his practice participation will clarify his readiness.

To be clear, Rapoport’s tone was controlled and cautionary here. Darnold can only be considered questionable, at best. The Seahawks’ quarterback “is healing faster than anyone had imagined,” but Rapoport adds that the team wants to be “cautious” with him. Backup QB Drew Lock should probably be viewed as the presumptive Week 3 starter at this time, but it sounds like Darnold can reasonably be expected to play in Week 4 at the latest.

FOX Sports’ Megan Olivi reported on Sunday that the Seahawks “are aiming” to have Darnold play in Week 3 against the Commanders. It goes without saying that Darnold will need to get a few days of practice in if he hopes to suit up, making this a big week for the Seahawks’ QB1 as he looks to get back on the field. Darnold’s injury wasn’t as severe as the team initially feared when he exited in Week 1 against the Patriots, but with a game against the 0-2 Commanders on the horizon, it’s possible the team doesn’t look to rush him back to the field if he’s not close to 100 percent. His practice status will be worth monitoring throughout the week, but if he’s held out, Drew Lock will make at least one more start in what should be a plus matchup for fantasy managers.

Lock looks great, and the Seahawks aren’t asking too much of him. The fill-in starter got things going with a perfectly placed 82-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba to cap the first drive. He linked up with Smith-Njigba for two more scores as the game progressed. At one point, Lock willingly took a hard hit as he stood tall against pressure before completing a pass to his No. 1 wide receiver along the sideline, which led to a successful field goal a few plays later. The Seahawks could get QB Sam Darnold (glute) back next week, but Lock warrants streaming QB1 consideration against the Commanders if he remains the starter.

Darnold’s rehab is reportedly progressing well, but coach Mike Macdonald acknowledged to Olivi that the team just has to wait and see how Darnold responds to treatment next week. His potential Week 3 return is no sure thing, and QB Drew Lock is filling in admirably thus far. Darnold’s practice participation should provide clues as to his availability.

Rapoport did note that Darnold is expected to practice in some capacity next week. It sounds like the team will use next week’s sessions to give him an extended ramp-up ahead of Week 4, though a Week 3 return isn’t out of the question. Drew Lock will start this week and probably next week as well. He is in the QB2 mix for Superflex leagues, though managers without a second quarterback spot don’t need to worry about Lock for now.

The Seahawks will roll with QB Drew Lock as this week’s starter. He is backed up by QB Jalen Milroe. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said he does not “anticipate” putting Darnold on injured reserve, so he should be back before Week 6. Lock can be treated as a volatile QB2 against the Cardinals this week.

Prior reports described Darnold’s injury as a hip issue, and the Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reported last week that Darnold had suffered an “unusual muscle strain.” Florio cites a report from FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer from earlier today, in which Glazer said Darnold actually suffered a glute tendon injury. Evidently, the injury is so unusual that, per Glazer, the team is gathering four second opinions to determine a course of action. Darnold is not expected to require surgery, but missing four-plus weeks could land him on injured reserve. The Seahawks will not be required to make that decision until late next week, though. Regardless, Glazer said QB Drew Lock will start next week against the Cardinals. He is a QB2.