Overview
- Coach Mike Macdonald announced Wednesday that Sam Darnold will miss Week 9 with a quadriceps injury, he is listed week-to-week, and the team does not plan to place him on injured reserve.
- Backup Drew Lock is expected to start against the Arizona Cardinals if his rib issue allows because he is the only healthy quarterback available beyond the injured Darnold.
- The Seahawks sit at 4-4 after losing three of four games, and Monday’s 34-17 defeat to the Chicago Bears highlighted offensive failures including a 1-for-11 mark on third downs, three sacks of the quarterback, and costly turnovers.
- Former players and analysts have flagged two linked problems: Darnold’s recent inconsistency and turnover-prone plays and the offense’s execution issues in protection, the run game, and play design.
- Sunday’s game in Seattle will be an early test of whether Lock and short-term schematic fixes can stabilize the offense and protect the team’s playoff window.