The Seattle Seahawks ruled Sam Darnold out of their Week 9 game against Arizona in a 4 November club announcement. Drew Lock is expected to start, with Jalen Milroe being prepared as his backup.
Macdonald outlines the quarterback plan
Head coach Mike Macdonald said Darnold injured his quadriceps late in Monday's game against Chicago. Macdonald also disclosed that Darnold fractured a rib earlier in that game. The coach described the quadriceps problem as the reason Darnold will miss the Cardinals game, with his availability to be assessed week by week.
Macdonald said Darnold would not go on injured reserve. That leaves the Seahawks with Lock as their intended starter and Milroe as the next available quarterback. The coach added that Seattle might bring in another quarterback for depth.
Lock is recovering from an elbow injury. He had been limited in practice and served as Seattle's emergency third quarterback in recent games. Macdonald said: “The plan is for Drew to start, Jalen (Milroe) will be ready to back up.” Seattle intends to manage Lock's throwing and give Milroe practice repetitions as it prepares for Arizona.
Injury report confirms both issues
SportsRivo compared Macdonald's announcement with Seattle's separate Wednesday injury report. Darnold appears among the non-participants with quadriceps and rib injuries; Lock is listed as limited with a right elbow problem. The report was an estimate because Seattle held a walkthrough after playing on Monday.
Lock has already replaced Darnold during a game this season and started a Seattle win away to Arizona. Those appearances offer the club a recent example of operating with Lock, although the elbow issue now makes his preparation more closely managed.
What changes for Seattle
- Lock is the intended starter against Arizona, while his throwing work remains subject to his elbow recovery.
- Milroe is preparing as the backup and will receive practice repetitions alongside Lock, according to Macdonald.
- Darnold will miss the Cardinals game, but the club has not placed him on injured reserve and will assess him week by week.
Cardinals visit comes next
The Seahawks' game centre lists Arizona's visit to Lumen Field for 8 November. Seattle's practice updates will provide the next check on Lock's elbow before the scheduled game.
Source: Seattle Seahawks