Alright, 12s, get ready. Sam Darnold is officially back under center for our Seahawks this Sunday. Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed he’s “ready to go” after Darnold returned to full practice on Thursday. It’s a quick turnaround after he was sidelined since the season opener with a glute injury and then missed last Sunday’s huge win over the Cardinals. This move shifts the focus squarely onto Darnold as the early season picture starts to form, but it’s not the only story coming out of the VMAC this week.
The Darnold Era, Take Two
Yeah, you heard that right. Darnold, who was knocked out of the season opener with that pesky glute injury and then sat out last week’s game, is fully off the injury report and ready to roll. Coach Macdonald didn’t mince words on Friday: Darnold is back in the driver’s seat. This means Drew Lock, who truly stepped up and helped guide the team to two straight crucial victories, is heading back to the bench. Look, Lock did exactly what we needed him to do, holding down the fort and keeping those wins coming for the Emerald City. But Darnold was brought in for a reason, right? He’s got the keys now and the chance to prove it early in the season. For better or worse, this is Darnold’s team, and we need to see that consistency and leadership right now, especially with how tight every single game feels in the NFL.
The Defensive Hit That Hurts Even More
As pumped as we are to see Darnold back leading the offense, the news from the defensive side of the ball is a cold splash of water that could chill T-Mobile Park. We’re talking about two key safeties, Julian Love and Ty Okada, both officially ruled out for Sunday’s road game. Love just popped up on the injury report Thursday, completely missing practice with a calf issue, which is never a good sign late in the week. Okada, meanwhile, hasn’t even seen the field yet this entire season, battling a hamstring injury that just won’t let up. Losing one starting-caliber safety is tough, but having *both* of them out? That’s going to seriously test the depth early, forcing guys to step up big time. And it doesn’t stop there. Defensive tackle Brandon Pili is also considered questionable for Sunday with a concussion, adding another question mark to the defense. This unit is already fighting hard early, and now they’re facing this kind of challenge on the road. The guys stepping up have to be absolutely ready from the very first snap, with zero room for error.
So, what does this all mean for Sunday? We’re rolling with Darnold, hoping his quick return sparks some offensive magic. But on defense, it’s a “next man up” situation like never before. The Emerald City is watching every single play. Can our D hold strong with these significant hits to the secondary, and can Darnold lead the charge right out of the gate on the road? It’s going to be a battle, a real grind, and we need every single 12th man screaming for them, even if it’s just from our couches. Let’s 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 Pro Football Talk.
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