Sam Darnold to Miss Seahawks Game Against Cardinals With Quad Injury

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold will miss Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a quadricep injury sustained late in Monday night’s 34-17 loss to the Chicago Bears.

Backup quarterback Drew Lock is expected to step into the starting role at Lumen Field, though the team faces roster questions with several key starters sidelined.

Sam Darnold's Injuries and Status for Week 9

Darnold sustained the quad injury on the final drive of the Week 8 contest against Chicago. Head coach Mike Macdonald announced on Wednesday that the quarterback will not play in Sunday’s NFC West rematch against Arizona.

In addition to the quad strain, Darnold also fractured a rib early in the game against the Bears. Macdonald noted that Darnold played through the rib fracture without mentioning it during the contest.

He’s tough as nails. He’ll be back sooner than later, I’m sure.

Mike Macdonald, Seahawks Head Coach

The club does not plan to place Darnold on injured reserve, which would force him to miss a minimum of four games. Instead, his status is being evaluated on a weekly basis. Through seven starts this season prior to his multi-injury exit, Darnold compiled 1,478 passing yards along with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

If he is cut or traded, the Seahawks would take a $19.2 million dead cap hit, but the front office would save $22.7 million.

Drew Lock Prepares to Face the Cardinals

Lock is slated to make his second start of the season against the Cardinals, having previously led a 31-7 victory over Arizona in Glendale on Sept. 20, where he threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Lock had the third-best quarterback rating in Week 2 with 139.1.

Across his limited action this year, Lock has completed 35 of 48 pass attempts totaling 422 yards, securing four touchdowns without surrendering a single interception.

Those savings could be given to Lock for a new contract.

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.

Mike Macdonald, Seahawks Head Coach

Lock reported that his elbow felt good as practice got underway, telling reporters he had been letting it rip during preparations. Jalen Milroe also took practice repetitions to help manage Lock’s workload.

Injury Reports Ahead of Sunday

Seattle listed six players as non-participants on Wednesday’s estimated injury report, including left tackle Charles Cross (ankle), defensive tackle Leonard Williams (stinger), and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (knee), all of whom missed the Monday night game against Chicago.

Macdonald indicated that those three players still have a chance to play on Sunday. Additional non-participants for Seattle included nose tackle Brandon Pili (back) and outside linebacker Connor O’Toole (foot).

Macdonald remarked that Quenton Nelson looked like Quenton Nelson during his club debut.

Across the field, the Cardinals will start Gardner Minshew II at quarterback. Minshew stepped in last week during a win over Dallas after Jacoby Brissett was benched. Arizona’s injury report included non-participants Jon Gaines II (ankle), Jayden Williams (knee), and Bam Knight (concussion), while defensive tackle Walter Nolen III was limited with an ankle injury.

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