Breaking: Seahawks list Sam Darnold as questionable with oblique injury ahead of 49ers showdown
The Seahawks quarterback situation just got complicated. Sam Darnold sustained an oblique injury late in the week and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday in Santa Clara. Darnold told me he expects to play. The team will monitor him through warmups and into pregame.
Darnold is questionable with an oblique injury, but he plans to suit up against the 49ers.
Oblique issues are tricky for quarterbacks. The muscle group drives trunk rotation. That rotation powers velocity and deep accuracy. Even a mild strain can sap zip on throws outside the numbers. It can also make full-speed turns on play action painful.
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What this means for Seattle’s plan
The matchup is massive. Seattle and San Francisco are locked in a tight NFC West race. The 49ers bring a fierce rush led by Nick Bosa and a fast second level with Fred Warner. They punish slow-developing plays. If Darnold goes, the Seahawks can still attack, but the plan must adjust.
Look for more shotgun. Expect quick game and catch-and-throw rhythm. Slants to DK Metcalf, hitches to Tyler Lockett, and glance routes to Jaxon Smith-Njigba can keep the chain moving. The goal is clear. Reduce big rotational throws and limit hits on the quarterback.
Under center play action often demands sharp torso turns. That movement stresses the oblique. Seattle can swap to play action from the gun, with half-rolls and split flow to hold the linebackers. Screens to the backs and tight ends should be early and often. Those calls can slow Bosa and buy tempo.
Oblique injuries can restrict torque and cut ball speed. Deep outs and far-hash comebacks may be dialed back.
Protection will be a story inside the story. Expect chip help on the edges and some max protect looks. Two tight end sets can force the 49ers out of exotic pressure. On the ground, Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet can carry more of the load. Inside zone and duo reduce the need for heavy quarterback fakes and keep Seattle ahead of the sticks.
What to watch in warmups
How Darnold moves will tell us a lot. I will be on the field tracking his routine and the ball flight.
- Does he rotate fully on intermediate digs and deep posts
- Is there visible guarding of the left or right side after follow-through
- Any wrap or pad around the ribs or hip, and frequent sideline stretches
- Velocity and placement on 15 to 20 yard throws to the field side
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If you see more wrist flick throws and fewer full-body rips in warmups, Seattle may lean even more on quick game.
If he plays, how Seattle can manage it
There is a path to efficient offense with a limited quarterback. Tempo can help. A faster pace can simplify reads, freeze the pass rush, and keep Darnold in rhythm. The staff can set a pitch count on high stress throws. Think layered crossers and back shoulder fades, not many full-field comebacks.
Third down will be the fulcrum. The Seahawks can scheme first down answers with run pass options and tight splits. Stay in second and five. Avoid third and eight against a wide nine rush. Quick rub concepts and bunch looks can free easy yards without asking Darnold to torque through tight windows.
Watch for quick perimeter touches. Jet motion to JSN, bubble screens to Lockett, and designed checkdowns to Walker can double as body blows to the 49ers defense. Each one forces pursuit, spreads the field, and protects the quarterback.
On explosive plays, Seattle can pick its spots. Shot plays off mirrored go routes require less rotation than deep cross country concepts. If the ball needs to travel 45 yards on a line, that is stress. If it hangs deep with air and timing, that is manageable.
If he cannot go, the contingency
If Darnold is a late scratch, Seattle will pivot to the backup and a pared script. Expect an even heavier run lean and a condensed read menu. Bootlegs to halve the field. Sprint outs to shorten the throw. The receivers group can still win. Metcalf can bully slants. Lockett can find soft spots. The defense and special teams would need to keep this tight.
The locker room knows what this rivalry demands. The 49ers hit, they chase, they close windows fast. The Seahawks pride themselves on grit and noise, even on the road. Today that grit centers on their quarterback and how he handles pain, rotation, and pressure in a game that shapes the division.
Conclusion
Darnold plans to play. The designation is questionable, but his intent is not. The Seahawks can win with timing, balance, and smart protection. Watch the warmup throws, the spin on the out route, and the first hit he takes. That will tell the story before the scoreboard does. We will track every snap from Santa Clara and bring you updates as they come. Football time. 🏈
