Seahawks QB Sam Darnold Listed as Questionable with Oblique Injury Ahead of Critical Divisional Round Clash with 49ers

Seattle, WA – January 15, 2026 – The Seattle Seahawks received an unexpected jolt on Thursday as starting quarterback Sam Darnold was added to the injury report with an oblique injury, casting a shadow over the team's preparations for Saturday night's NFC Divisional Round playoff showdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field.

Darnold, who has started every game this season and helped guide the Seahawks to a 14-3 record and the NFC's No. 1 seed, was not listed on the injury report earlier in the week. The issue first surfaced during Thursday's practice, where the veteran signal-caller reportedly "felt a little something" in his side while throwing. As a precaution, he stepped back from some reps, allowing backup Drew Lock to take snaps with the first-team offense.

The team quickly designated Darnold as questionable for the high-stakes rematch, marking the third meeting between the NFC West rivals this season. Seattle dominated the most recent encounter in Week 18, securing the division title and first-round bye with a convincing 13-3 victory in Santa Clara.

Despite the late addition to the report, early indications suggest the injury may not be season-threatening. Darnold spoke to reporters after practice, downplaying the concern and estimating his chances of missing Saturday's game as "close to zero." He was seen jogging on the field and even using a Theragun on the affected area, maintaining an upbeat demeanor.

An oblique injury can be particularly tricky for quarterbacks, potentially impacting rotational throwing mechanics, play-action fakes, and overall mobility under pressure. With the 49ers boasting a formidable defense eager for revenge — especially after losing key contributors like tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles in their wild-card win — any limitation for Darnold could shift Seattle's offensive approach significantly.

If Darnold is unable to start or is limited, the Seahawks would turn to Drew Lock, with rookie Jalen Milroe serving as the third-string option. Lock has seen limited action this year but got valuable first-team work on Thursday as the team hedged its preparations.

Head coach Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks staff have yet to provide further updates, with more clarity expected on Friday. The team enters the contest as favorites, buoyed by their dominant regular-season performance and home-field advantage, but the sudden injury uncertainty adds an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be a heated divisional battle.

Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, televised on FOX. Fans in Seattle will be watching closely to see if Darnold can shake off the scare and lead the Seahawks' quest for another deep playoff run.

17GEN4.com