Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold returned to practice on Wednesday, September 23, after suffering a glute injury in the opening week of the NFL season. The following day, he provided an update on his recovery, describing his condition as “feeling good” and emphasizing a cautious, day-by-day approach to getting back on the field.
Darnold recounted the uncertainty that followed the initial injury, noting the range of emotions and concerns about how long he might be sidelined. “Lot of different emotions, lot of possibilities in terms of how long I’d be out and possibilities of different injuries,” he said. After undergoing a CT scan, Darnold received some reassuring news from the team’s medical staff. “That was kind of when the doc brought the good news to me,” he added.
Despite his progress, Darnold stopped short of confirming whether he would play in Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders. “I’m really striving for that,” he said. “But, again, like I said, I’m just taking it day by day. Also, don’t want to jinx anything.” The Seahawks are scheduled to face the Commanders on September 27 at 10 a.m. local time in Maryland.
Darnold praised his backup, Drew Lock, who stepped in during his absence. “None of us in this building are surprised at what happened,” Darnold said. “He’s a baller.” Lock’s performance has given the Seahawks some stability while their starting quarterback recovers.
The 26-year-old quarterback also explained what he is focusing on before returning to play. He wants to be confident in his body and mental state, ensuring he can perform all the physical demands of the game without hesitation. “I think just mentally, having confidence, having confidence in my body,” Darnold said. “If I need to take off, feeling good about sliding, and doing all the football things. Worrying about playing football, not worrying about the hip, at all.”
Maintaining the strength and flexibility of his injured muscle remains a priority. Darnold referred to keeping the muscle “loose and strong” as an important part of his rehabilitation. His careful preparation reflects the Seahawks’ interest in avoiding any setbacks.
Darnold’s return to practice came nearly three weeks after he initially went down with the injury in their first game of the season. The Seahawks have since relied on Lock to handle quarterback duties. The team’s performance during this period will be crucial in assessing their chances as they approach the midseason stretch.
As the Seahawks prepare to travel to Maryland, all eyes will be on Darnold’s status. His comments indicate optimism but also caution, suggesting the decision to play will be made with his full readiness in mind. The latest update leaves the situation open, with a clear focus on his health and readiness to contribute when he steps back onto the field.
According to Yahoo Sports.