The Seattle Seahawks revealed a scare late in the week by announcing that quarterback Sam Darnold is questionable to play against the San Francisco 49ers in today’s NFL playoff matchup. Darnold is dealing with a new oblique injury, putting his playing status in doubt.
Seattle is expected to announce the team’s inactives for today’s game at 6:30 p.m. Eastern, about one hour and thirty minutes before kickoff. What should fans be looking for?
It would be a surprise if Darnold is not active, but Jalen Milroe (who has traditionally been the emergency quarterback on gamedays) also being active could be a sign that the Seahawks have some concerns about the Pro Bowl quarterback’s status.
Darnold has estimated that his chances of not playing tonight is close to 0%. Yet, the Seahawks quarterback will need to go through a series of tests during the pregame warmup to prove his health.
Assuming there is no setback, Darnold is expected to play today against the 49ers. The bigger question is how effective Darnold will be while battling the injury.
Here’s what you need to know about Darnold’s injury.
Sam Darnold on Playing in 49ers vs. Seahawks Game: ‘We’ll Be Ready to Go’
Darnold has attempted to downplay the severity of the injury, but it is less than ideal for a team’s starting quarterback to sustain an injury with Seattle just one game away from the NFC Championship. Just like Week 18, fans can expect a heavy dose of the Seahawks’ rushing attack against the Niners.
“I feel good,” Darnold remarked on his injury during a January 15, 2026, media session, per Seahawks.com. “In routes on air, I just felt a little something in my oblique. I just didn’t want to push it. It wasn’t the day to push it, so that was it. I came inside, got some rehab, and I feel like I’ll be ready to go for Saturday.”
“… It’s fun. We’ll attack it the next couple of days and be ready to go on Saturday… It is what it is. I felt it on a throw, but we’ll be ready to go.”
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