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Seahawks Leaving the Door Open for Sam Darnold to Play in Week 3
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) continues to recover exceptionally well, and the team isn't ready to rule him out for Week 3 against the Washington Commanders. Darnold will return to practice on Wednesday, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com didn't shut down the possibility of Darnold playing this week. Specifically, he said that we may see Drew Lock at quarterback for one more game, but that it wasn't certain. The fact that the door is even somewhat open for Darnold to play this week is remarkable, given that he's less than two weeks removed from suffering a pulled muscle against the Patriots on the opening night of the 2026 NFL season. Right now, it seems like the safe bet would be that Darnold returns in Week 4. However, he's already so far ahead of schedule in his recovery that it wouldn't completely shock us to see him get ready in time for Week 3, either. Managers should stay tuned to the Seahawks' injury reports for more clarity.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Drew Lock Seems Likely to Make Another Start
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) could return to practice later this week, but the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday that it is "possible to likely" that backup Drew Lock makes a second straight start in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders. It will be interesting to see how much practice work Darnold gets this week, if any, but it seems like the Seahawks will bring him back slowly with the goal of having him return in Week 4 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers. Darnold suffered a glute injury early in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots and did not play in the Week 2 win over the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. The 29-year-old Lock has been great in his place, leading Seattle to a 2-0 record while completing 72.9% of his passes for 422 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. If Lock makes a second straight start this weekend, he will absolutely be in play as a QB2 streamer in superflex leagues against a Commanders team that has allowed 30.5 points per game through two weeks.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Drew Lock Could Have Streaming Potential Again in Week 3
Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback Drew Lock has led the defending Super Bowl champions to a 2-0 start in 2026 after starting QB Sam Darnold injured his glute early in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots. The 29-year-old has completed 35 of his 48 pass attempts (72.9%) while throwing for 422 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He was much better in the Week 2 win over the division-rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, going 19-for-26 for 235 yards and three touchdowns in an easy 31-7 blowout. Darnold is making good progress from his injury and could return to practice this week, so it is up in the air right now whether he will have a realistic chance to make his return this weekend. If Seattle plays it safe and holds Darnold out for another week, Lock will have plenty of streaming potential in a Week 3 matchup this Sunday against a Washington Commanders defense that just allowed four passing touchdowns to Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. Lock is only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues, but he will make for an interesting QB2 streamer in superflex leagues if he makes a second straight start for Seattle this week.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Sam Darnold on Track to Practice on Wednesday
The Tacoma News Tribune's Gregg Bell is hearing that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) is on track to return to practice on Wednesday. Head coach Mike Macdonald said after Sunday's Week 2 win over the division-rival Arizona Cardinals that Darnold is ahead of schedule and has a chance to practice this week after suffering a unique injury to his glute in the season-opening win over the New England Patriots. If the 29-year-old returns to practice this week and looks good, he could be in line to be cleared to return under center for the Week 3 game this weekend in Washington against the Commanders. That would make Darnold a strong streaming option for fantasy managers after Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott just dropped four touchdown passes on the Commanders in a Week 2 win. With that said, Seattle will likely err on the side of caution with Darnold after backup Drew Lock has looked very adequate in leading the team to a 2-0 record in the first two weeks of the 2026 season. Lock threw three touchdowns to star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on Sunday.
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Sam Darnold is Ahead of Schedule
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) is ahead of schedule in his recovery process. Head coach Mike Macdonald said Darnold could return to practice this upcoming week, per Curtis Crabtree. He continued by saying that the timetable for Darnold has shifted quite drastically. If everything goes right, Darnold could be back under center for the Week 3 matchup against the Washington Commanders. Darnold was injured during the opening drive of the season and hasn't played since then. Drew Lock has led the team to a 2-0 start, but Darnold will replace him once he's healthy enough to play.
Source: Curtis Crabtree
Source: Curtis Crabtree
Sam Darnold Recovering Faster Than Anticipated
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) is recovering quicker than expected from his glute injury, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Darnold will miss the Week 2 game for Seattle, but there is a good chance that he could be back in practice this week, and the Seahawks are hoping that he can play in either Week 3 or Week 4. Rapoport said Week 3 is hopeful and Week 4 seems like the "more likely target." Darnold was just 1-for-2 passing in Week 1 against the New England Patriots before the injury for 50 passing yards. Darnold is a capable QB1 in fantasy who showed what he can do last season when healthy in leading the team to a Super Bowl victory. This report is positive news for those who have rostered Darnold, and it sounds like he can be back in starting lineups in a few weeks.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Drew Lock Off the Streaming Radar in Week 2
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock put together a solid outing in relief of the injured Sam Darnold (glute) in Week 1. Lock was forced to play 90% of Seattle's snaps in Week 1 and went 16/22 for 187 yards and a long touchdown to wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Lock was efficient and effective in Week 1. He should carry that momentum into Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, but it seems unlikely that Lock will reach fantasy starter status this week. Arizona's defense played solid football against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1, but the defense as a whole should not be scary over the course of the season. However, Seattle seems likely to lean on its running game as much as possible until Darnold is back in the lineup. Lock may very well put up respectable numbers once again, but it is unlikely to be enough to consider starting him with so many other quality options available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam Darnold Will Miss Sunday's Game But is "Killin His Rehab"
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) is actively rehabbing a glute injury that will cause him to miss the Week 2 matchup at Arizona. But Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune says he was on the practice field yesterday in cleats and throwing on his own. The team will not place Darnold on injured reserve, meaning he can come back on or before Week 4. Darnold has been making good progress with his injury, according to head coach Mike Macdonald, who says he's just not healthy enough to play this weekend at Arizona, but "He's killin' it on his rehab. He's doing a lot." Drew Lock has been operating as the backup quarterback for the Seahawks and was able to lead them to a win in Week 1 over the New England Patriots.
Source: Tacoma News Tribune
Source: Tacoma News Tribune
Sam Darnold Officially Ruled Out for Week 2
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, according to James Palmer. Head coach Mike Macdonald also said the Seahawks still have no plans to place Darnold on injured reserve. Seattle has described the issue as an unusual soft-tissue injury, but the hip joint itself is unaffected and the team considers the injury short-term. Darnold lasted only five plays in the opener against New England, completing one of two passes for 13 yards before leaving. Drew Lock took over and went 16-of-22 for 187 yards and a touchdown in the 13-10 comeback win. He is in line to start Sunday while Darnold continues to recover. There is still no firm date for Darnold's return, but keeping him off injured reserve leaves open the possibility that he could be back within the next few weeks.
Source: James Palmer
Source: James Palmer
Drew Lock Can Fill In As Backup Fantasy QB
Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback Drew Lock led the team to a Week 1 win over the New England Patriots while filling in for starter Sam Darnold, who suffered a glute injury. Lock was 16-for-22 passing for 187 yards and a touchdown in relief of Darnold. He also rushed two times for 13 yards. Darnold could be looking at a four-to-six week recovery period and Lock looks like a more than capable backup quarterback during that time. Expect the Seahawks to be a run-heavy team while Darnold is out, but with receivers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Lock has some potential to put up some decent stat lines. However for fantasy purposes, Lock is more of a backup quarterback and should not put up QB1 numbers during Darnold's time out.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Sam Darnold Expected to Return to Play In the Near Future
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) is dealing with a unique soft-tissue injury, and the Seahawks expect him back in a few weeks. According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the injury has a four-week timeline for his return to play, but there is still a possibility that he can get back a little sooner and miss only a couple of games. Drew Lock will start in Darnold's place in Week 2 against the Cardinals after leading Seattle to a 13-10 victory over the Patriots following Darnold's early departure. Darnold's hip joint checked out OK earlier this week, though, so it seems he avoided major injury. Since it is an unusual injury, the timeline is a little unclear, but the Seahawks have not placed him on IR, which indicates they think there is a chance he'll be able to return within four games.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Source: Mike Garafolo
Sam Darnold Has "Very Unique" Short-Term, Soft-Tissue Injury
According to a Seattle Seahawks spokesperson, quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) has a "very unique" soft-tissue injury that is considered a short-term injury, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. Darnold's hip joint is unaffected, but there is currently no timeline for his return. The Seahawks initially termed it a hip injury after Darnold was forced from last Wednesday's season-opening win over the New England Patriots on the first offensive drive of the game. The 29-year-old is now believed to be dealing with a glute injury, and he will most likely miss the Week 2 contest on the road against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals this Sunday. Beyond that, it is unclear when the 29-year-old signal-caller might return under center for Seattle after leading the team to a Super Bowl championship in February. The fact that Seattle has not placed Darnold on Injured Reserve means they have some confidence that he will be back within the next four games. In the meantime, Drew Lock will start for the Seahawks as more of a game manager, with little upside as a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Sam Darnold Could Miss 4-6 Weeks with Glute Injury
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) could miss four to six weeks due to a glute tendon injury. Florio notes that surgery is not anticipated for Darnold, but that the Seahawks will be cautious with their quarterback. Darnold suffered the injury early on in Seattle's 2026 debut, a 13-10 win over the New England Patriots on Wednesday. The injury was initially feared to be Darnold's hip. Darnold is not expected to be placed on the reserved/injured list as of press time. Drew Lock will operate as Seattle's starting quarterback while Darnold is out.
Source: Pro Football Talk - Mike Florio
Source: Pro Football Talk - Mike Florio
Sam Darnold Has a Glute Injury and Could Miss A Few Games
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a glute injury in the Week 1 victory over the Patriots and could miss several games. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the news was better than anticipated for the Seahawks and a couple of games might be better than expected. Darnold had a great season in 2025 with 4,048 passing yards and 25 touchdowns against 14 interceptions leading the Seahawks to the Super Bowl win. He hardly had a chance to make any plays in the opener before he suffered the injury early in the game. Darnold limped off after just two passes in the opening game. But it looks like Darnold avoided serious injury and Seattle will play with Drew Lock at quarterback for a few games before welcoming their Super Bowl winning quarterback back to the team.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Sam Darnold has Unusual Strain, Timetable Remains TBD
Tests showed that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (hip) has an unusual muscle strain in his hip area that he suffered on the first offensive drive of Wednesday's season-opening win over the New England Patriots, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. There is no consideration at this point of putting Darnold on Injured Reserve, but his timetable for a return remains to be determined. Reports earlier suggested that the Seahawks "dodged a bullet" with Darnold's right-hip injury, but he might not be out of the woods yet. The 29-year-old signal-caller is expected to miss the Week 2 contest against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals, but if he recovers nicely, he could be in play for Week 3 against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Sept. 27. Still, the consensus is that Darnold avoided a long-term injury. Until he can return, backup Drew Lock will be thrust into starting duties for the Seahawks. In Week 2 versus the Cardinals, he should only be a fantasy streaming option in deep two-QB superflex formats.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
