Sam Darnold, the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback, has confirmed he will play in the team's upcoming divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. Darnold appeared on the injury report Thursday as a limited participant with an oblique injury, a surprise addition after being off the report earlier in the week, which led to him being listed as questionable for the game. He explained that he felt a slight discomfort and opted not to push through it during practice, focusing instead on rehabilitation and feeling ready for Saturday's game.
This game is a significant one for Darnold, as it marks his first playoff appearance since the 2024 wild-card round and his fourth time facing his former team, the 49ers, though it's his first postseason encounter against them. In their previous meeting in Week 18, the Seahawks secured a 13-3 victory over the 49ers on the road, with Darnold delivering a solid performance, completing 20 of 26 passes for 198 yards. The Seahawks are hopeful for a stronger playoff showing this time compared to Darnold's previous playoff game in 2024, where he faced significant pressure from the opposing defense.