Sam Darnold, our Super Bowl-winning QB, is officially out for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals due to that glute injury he picked up against the New England Patriots in Week 1. This is a tough pill to swallow for the 12s, seeing our field general go down so early, but the good news is this isn’t a season-ender. The team says it’s a soft-tissue glute tendon injury, pretty short-term stuff, and there are currently no plans to stick Darnold on IR. Still, it means Drew Lock gets the start, and after what we saw last week, you gotta feel a buzz in the Emerald City.
Why Holding Out Darnold Is The Smart Play
Look, nobody wants to see our starting QB on the sidelines, especially not Darnold after everything he’s brought to this team. But ruling him out for the Cardinals game? That’s a heads-up move by Coach Macdonald and OC Fleury, plain and simple. Think about it: the Cardinals rolled into 2025 with a 3-14 record. Yeah, they snagged a surprise 26-14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers to kick off their season this year, but let’s be real, they’re not exactly stacked. Why risk further injury to Darnold against an opponent who, on paper, feels like a “seemingly easy” win? There are no easy games in the NFL, we know that, but if you have to sit your QB for one, it might as well be against a team still finding its footing. Keeping Darnold healthy for the long haul, for the crucial games down the line, that’s what truly matters.
Drew Lock Is Ready For His Encore
Now, all eyes turn to Drew Lock, and let me tell you, this dude looked GOOD stepping in against the Patriots. He performed like a seasoned vet, completing 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards, tossing one touchdown, and, crucially, throwing no interceptions. That’s efficiency, folks! You could feel the confidence radiating off him after the game. According to ESPN, Lock straight up said, “It was a blast. So proud of everyone around me tonight on the offensive side of the ball. I can’t say enough about the defense turning over the ball.” That’s the kind of energy you want from your backup, especially when he’s suddenly the guy. He clearly enjoyed himself out there, and the offense responded.
So, get ready to see Lock have another “blast” this Sunday against the Cardinals. It’s an early-season test for us without Darnold, but it’s also a massive opportunity for Lock to prove he can lead this offense. Let’s see if the defense can keep turning over the ball and give him plenty of chances to put points on the board. This game is all about keeping that early momentum rolling, no matter who’s under center. Go Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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