Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald didn’t put a firm label on Sam Darnold’s status this week, but his message was clear: the team is managing the quarterback’s workload carefully as Seattle prepares for the NFC Championship against the Los Angeles Rams.
Asked how the Seahawks will balance keeping Darnold sharp while also protecting him from reinjury, Macdonald said it’s something they’ll “work through day to day,” focusing on getting the right reps at the right tempo while still giving Darnold what he needs in practice.
Sam Darnold: Seahawks Will Manage QB “Day to Day”
The most direct Darnold update came when Macdonald was asked about the practice plan.
“Yeah, I think it’s something we’re just going to work through day to day,” Macdonald said, describing the challenge of balancing enough work against the right looks, while being smart about Darnold’s health.
That kind of phrasing typically means Seattle will take it one practice at a time and let how Darnold feels (and responds) dictate the workload, especially early in the week.
It also keeps Seattle from tipping its hand to Los Angeles, which will be preparing for multiple possibilities based on who’s taking snaps and how the offense might adjust.
Sam Darnold Injury: Macdonald Admits He Was Nervous After QB Took an Early Sack
Macdonald also referenced a sequence from Saturday that gave a window into how closely the staff is tracking Darnold’s movement and comfort.
After Darnold took a sack early, he bounced right back the next play and “ripped” a throw to Cooper. Macdonald said he was nervous watching Darnold go down and then take off, but the response helped him “exhale a little bit.”
That’s not a formal medical update, but it’s a revealing one. It suggests the staff is watching for the same things fans are: how Darnold reacts after contact, how he moves when the pocket breaks down, and whether he looks like himself on the very next snap.
Seahawks Standings: What It Means for Seahawks vs Rams in the NFC Championship
As the No. 1 team in the NFC with a 14-3 record, the Seahawks are the current favorites to win the Super Bowl. They also opened the week as a betting favorite over the Rams.
If Seattle’s practice plan is truly “day to day,” that can shape everything about the game plan against a Rams defense that’s built to stress protection rules and punish mistakes.
A limited quarterback week can mean a heavier emphasis on timing throws, quicker decisions, and a run game that keeps the offense on schedule. It can also impact how often Seattle wants Darnold extending plays outside structure, especially if the coaching staff is trying to reduce unnecessary hits.
And in a rivalry setting like Seahawks-Rams, the margins are thin. A few missed reps during the week can show up in the small stuff on Sunday: pre-snap communication, blitz recognition, and whether the offense can stay on schedule in the red zone.
Seahawks QB Depth Chart: Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe Behind Darnold
Should something hinder Darnold this week the Seahawks depth chart looks like this: Seattle’s primary backup options behind Darnold include Drew Lock, with rookie Jalen Milroe also in the mix.
Even when Darnold was on the injury report, Seattle prepared for contingencies by mixing in other quarterbacks for reps, a normal move this late in the season, but one that always spikes attention when the starter is even slightly questionable.
Sam Darnold Stats
Darnold’s season production is a big reason the injury-status question is so loud right now.
Darnold threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in the regular season, helping Seattle to a 14-3 record and the NFC’s top seed.
How Old Is Sam Darnold and What Teams Has He Played For?
Darnold was born June 5, 1997, making him 28 years old.
As for the teams he’s played for, Darnold has spent time with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and now the Seattle Seahawks. He helped guide both the Vikings (last season) and Seahawks (this season) to 14-win regular seasons.
He was drafted No. 3 overall by the Jets in 2018.
Sam Darnold Contract: What Seahawks Fans Want to Know
Contract curiosity comes with winning, and Darnold’s deal is a major reason “Sam Darnold contract” keeps trending.
Multiple cap/contract outlets list Darnold as signing a three-year, $100.5 million contract with Seattle, with significant guarantees up front (including a large signing bonus).
That’s why every practice note matters: when a quarterback is on a big deal and the team is playing for a Super Bowl berth, even “day-to-day” turns into a headline.
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