Darnold Downplays Oblique Injury Ahead of Seahawks’ Divisional Clash with 49ers

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was added to the team’s injury report Thursday with an oblique injury, leaving his status questionable for Saturday’s Divisional Round matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Despite the injury designation, Darnold downplayed the concern after practice, telling reporters there’s “close to a zero-percent chance” he won’t play this weekend.

“I felt a little something in my oblique,” Darnold said. “Just didn’t want to push it — wasn’t the day to push it. That was it. Just came inside, got some rehab, and I feel like I’ll be ready to play Saturday.”

During practice, the 28-year-old quarterback was spotted using a Theragun on his side, apparently to ease the discomfort, joking to onlookers, “Nothing to see here,” according to the Tacoma News Tribune.

With Darnold limited, backup Drew Lock took some first-team reps during Thursday’s session.

Darnold has been a model of durability since joining Seattle, starting all 17 regular-season games this year after not missing a game since 2023. His only prior appearance on the injury report came in Week 9 with a chest issue, though he practiced fully that week.

In his first season with the Seahawks, Darnold has delivered a career-best campaign — throwing for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions while steering Seattle to the NFC’s top playoff seed.

Aside from Darnold, the Seahawks’ roster is largely healthy. The only other player with a game designation is offensive tackle Josh Jones, who has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Seattle and San Francisco split their regular-season meetings, with the Seahawks avenging their Week 1 loss by winning the Week 18 rematch in Santa Clara — a victory that clinched the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed.