Update: Sam Darnold is off the injury report after a full week of limited practices
Sam Darnold remains on track to play in the NFC Championship Game despite managing an oblique injury that surfaced late last week.
Darnold was a late addition to the divisional-round injury report with an oblique issue and was listed as questionable, but he ultimately played and helped guide Seattle to a win. He finished the game 12 of 17 for 124 yards and a touchdown, showing no obvious limitations while operating a controlled game plan.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday that Darnold “continues to get better,” though the quarterback’s throwing workload will be managed during the practice week as Seattle prepares to host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Sports Injury Central’s Pro Football Doc, Dr. David Chao, downplayed the concern surrounding the injury based on Darnold’s in-game performance. Chao explained that oblique injuries involve the muscles attaching to the ribs, making protective padding logical, but noted he did not see any impact on Darnold’s throwing.
“I didn’t notice anything on any throws,” Chao said. “He didn’t throw downfield a lot, but that looked more like part of the game plan and the score."
Chao added that the late-week timing of the injury likely prompted caution heading into the divisional round, while the additional recovery time this week should allow Darnold to practice in some capacity. "It’s the newness of it—when it just happened at the end of the week and you’re so close to game time, you shut him down. They’d already gotten in the practice they needed. Whereas this week, they’re going to want to practice him some, I would imagine. And Sam Darnold has not fared well in his last four games against Sean McVay’s defense."
Darnold echoed that optimism, saying Wednesday that he “felt good” the day after the divisional game and was “feeling really good” three days later as the Seattle Seahawks began preparations for their third meeting of the season with the Rams.
The matchup presents a familiar challenge, as Darnold has struggled in recent outings against defenses coached by Sean McVay, a factor that could loom larger than the injury itself as Seattle vies for a Super Bowl berth.
Stay tuned to SICscore.com for the latest Conference Championship projections.
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