Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald expects Sam Darnold to return to practice this week, but the quarterback’s status for this weekend’s game against the Washington Commanders remains uncertain.
asserted
status → expect → Commanders
Darnold sustained a glute injury on the first series of Seattle’s season opener against the New England Patriots.
asserted
Darnold → sustain → Patriots
Drew Lock took over and helped the Seahawks to a 13-10 victory, then started Sunday’s 31-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
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Lock → take → Cardinals
There was no timeline announced for Darnold’s return, but it appeared he could be back soon.
uncertain
he → be → return
“Right now, the plan is for him to be out there in some capacity and we’ll go from there,” Macdonald said Monday.
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Macdonald → go → capacity
We’ll see from here to Wednesday on what that number is but right now that’s the goal.”
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that → see → Wednesday
Lock completed 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns — all to Jaxon Smith-Njigba — against the Cardinals.
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Lock → complete → Cardinals
As of Monday, the Seahawks hadn’t determined how much work Darnold would get in practice ahead of the game at Washington.
“Obviously this week is a little bit different with Sam’s situation being a little more up in the air going throughout the week,” Macdonald said.
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Macdonald → determine → week
“So this is a little different approach in terms of our process about how we’ll handle our preparation throughout the week.”
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we → handle → week
In the opener, Lock went 16 of 22 for 187 yards and a touchdown, also to Smith-Njigba.
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Lock → go → Njigba
Lock has not committed a turnover.
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Lock → commit → turnover
Macdonald said the transition to Lock has been smooth.
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transition → say → Lock
The 29-year-old has mostly served as a backup since 2021 and saw little action last season as Darnold led Seattle to the Super Bowl title.
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Darnold → serve → title
“I didn’t sense much difference in the attitude or the emotion of the team last week.
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I → sense → team
The things he’s been able to do, day-in and day-out, the types of practices and type of football he’s played out on the practice field throughout training camp, throughout his opportunities in the preseason, I sense a lot of confidence in what he brings to the table,” Macdonald said.
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Macdonald → do → table
What’s working
While the connection between Lock and Smith-Njigba has sparked the offense, Seattle’s defense has remained its biggest strength.
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defense → work → offense
Seattle shut down Arizona’s run game, with rookie Jeremiyah Love managing just 29 yards on nine carries, and pressured quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who finished 17 of 28 for 95 yards and a touchdown.
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who → shut → yards
The Cardinals were held to 151 yards of total offense.
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Cardinals → hold → offense
The Seahawks have never lost when holding an opponent to 151 yards or fewer.
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Seahawks → lose → yards
What needs help
The Seahawks’ tight end play could use a boost.
uncertain
play → need → boost
AJ Barner had one catch for 8 yards and ran for a 1-yard touchdown.
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Barner → have → touchdown
Veteran Eric Saubert had a catch for a loss of 10 yards.
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Saubert → have → yards
Stock up
Emanuel Wilson gained 92 yards on 21 carries, a 4.4-yard average.
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Wilson → gain → carries
Injuries
DL Brandon Pili suffered a concussion against the Cardinals.
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Pili → suffer → Cardinals
RB Jadarian Price left in the second half with a chest injury, but X-rays were negative.
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rays → leave → injury
Price ran for 52 yards on 13 carries before he was hurt.
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he → run → carries
That’s the longest in franchise history.
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That → ’ → history
Next steps
The Seahawks visit the Commanders and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.
asserted
Seahawks → visit → Commanders
The Aporia
