Overview
- Darnold returned to on-field work as a limited participant on Wednesday and was upgraded to full participation in Thursday’s practice, signaling steady progress toward a possible Sunday start.
- Team doctors early on used CT and MRI scans to rule out hip-joint damage and diagnose a muscular glute issue, which shortened the expected recovery window.
- Coach Mike Macdonald said the club will make a final call by Friday based chiefly on how Darnold responds to added reps and whether he has the confidence to run, slide and play without guarding the injury.
- Backup Drew Lock has completed 35 of 48 passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns across two starts, giving Seattle a 2-0 record and flexibility to be cautious with the starter.
- Because the Seahawks did not place Darnold on injured reserve, the team can choose a short absence and prioritize both medical clearance and the quarterback’s mental readiness when setting the Week 3 lineup.