It’s been a rough couple of days for the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and the latest hit is quarterback Sam Darnold is not playing on Sunday.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald told reporters on Wednesday that Darnold is out for the upcoming Week 9 game against the Arizona Cardinals because of a quad injury.
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Backup quarterback Drew Lock will start in Darnold’s place, Macdonald said. Jalen Milroe will be the backup.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) scrambles in the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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Lock, by the way, has been recovering from an elbow injury and that offers challenges of its own because it’s unknown if he is 100% healthy.
“He’s able to throw,” Macdonald said. “How much, we’re working through that right now. That’s the best way to put it. He’s going to throw the ball throughout the week, but we’re just going to manage it.
“He’s not going to take 8,000 throws.”
That doesn’t exactly sound optimal.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 12 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Darnold’s injury, while not serious enough to send him to injured reserve, which would force him to miss four games, is serious enough that the club may add a quarterback this week, Macdonald said.
It’s been a rough week for Darnold and the Seahawks.
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The Seahawks were beaten and beaten up by the Chicago Bears in a 34-17 whipping that included three sacks of Darnold, left him with a cracked rib, and obviously raised eyebrows because of the clear physical superiority the Bears showed over Seattle.
Drew Lock of the Seattle Seahawks looks to throw a pass against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash., on Sept. 9, 2026. (Getty Images)
Darnold suffered a cracked rib on the second play of the game, per Macdonald.
“He’s tough as nails,” Macdonald said. “He’ll be back sooner than later, I’m sure.”
Assuming the plan does not falter, Lock will be making his second start of the season and, coincidentally, second against the Cardinals.
He started against Arizona on Sept. 20, and the Seahawks beat Arizona, 31-7, in a game where Lock threw for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns.
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