Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold will sit out Sunday’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals due to a glute strain, head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Wednesday.
Drew Lock is set to take over as the starter, with Jalen Milroe stepping in as his backup. Lock is expected to lead most first-team reps in practice this week, though Milroe will also see meaningful work, Macdonald noted.
The organization has decided against adding another quarterback to the roster, and Darnold is not projected to land on injured reserve, meaning he could return sooner than the typical four-game absence.
“Drew knows he’s going to be in that starting role for a while,” Macdonald said. “So I’m looking forward to seeing him practice today, just as much as I am when Sam’s out there playing.”
Darnold, 29, first sustained the issue early in the season opener against New England, a fifth-play drive play initially labeled a hip strain. Later this week, team representatives described it as an uncommon soft-tissue problem, expected to be brief though without a definitive recovery schedule.
With Seattle’s next game scheduled for September 27 in Washington, Darnold’s status could improve depending on his rehabilitation progress over the next 11 days.
“He’s making strong strides in his rehab,” Macdonald said. “He’s putting in the work, handling a lot of responsibilities right now, just not in a position to suit up this week.”
Lock, also 29, last began a regular-season contest for the New York Giants in late 2024, during a one-season stay between two stints in Seattle. He closed out the opener against New England with 16 completions on 22 attempts for 187 yards and a touchdown, adding a 14-yard rushing score as the Seahawks overcame a 10-point deficit to win 13–10.
His Seahawks starter record stands at 1–1, headlined by a dramatic Monday night comeback win over Philadelphia in late 2023. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams believes Lock ranks among the top backup passers in the NFL.
“I recall that Eagles game a couple seasons ago where he stepped in and delivered a win for us,” Williams said. “He’s repeated that ability to rise to the occasion, and that track record has built real confidence among teammates and coaching staff alike.”
Though Lock didn’t start any games for Seattle last season, Macdonald pointed to moments last year when it seemed he might enter the lineup, most notably after Darnold’s oblique strain ahead of the NFC Championship Game.
“We had a few instances late last season,” Macdonald said. “There were clear signs he was next in line, and everyone around here saw that coming.”
In the interim, Lock has remained ready and engaged in his role as the Seahawks’No. 2. Williams praised his discipline and attention to detail, qualities visible to teammates long before his next opportunity arrived.
Nick Kallerup, a reserve tight end signed as an undrafted free agent in 2025, has spent much of the past year throwing with Lock during practices. What stood out most to Kallerup was Lock’s arm strength, a key reason he was selected in the second round of the 2019 draft out of Missouri.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jayden Lock is widely regarded as a standout performer by his teammates, with one member of the scout team noting that the 23-year-old’s accuracy makes it difficult to accept he is serving as a backup. That teammate added that it is refreshing to see Lock finally receive a significant opportunity to showcase his abilities.
Lock, who entered the league as a third-round selection out of the University of Alabama in 2025, saw limited action during his rookie year. He appeared in select offensive packages during three of the first five regular-season contests before a fumbled pitch in Week 5 sidelined him for the remainder of that campaign. Throughout the current preseason, the quarterback completed 27 of 45 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown, while also throwing two interceptions. On the ground, he carried the ball 13 times for 72 yards.
Head coach Mike Macdonald expressed satisfaction with Lock’s display in the team’s final preseason exhibition, stating that the young quarterback has made substantial progress. Macdonald highlighted the player’s diligent preparation, suggesting that his efforts are beginning to yield tangible results. The coach noted that he appreciates seeing such hard work rewarded, particularly for an athlete who has prepared as if he were a starter for the past two years.
While Macdonald expressed a preference for Lock to remain healthy for the entire upcoming Sunday game, he acknowledged that the final decision regarding the starter rests outside his control, a reality emphasized by last week’s roster changes. The departure of Sam Darnold served as a teaching moment for the roster, illustrating the necessity of being prepared to perform on short notice.
Macdonald praised Lock’s character, describing him as a "heck of a guy" and a strong teammate. The coach highlighted Lock’s balance of professionalism and focus, referring to him as a "warrior in the garden" and a player who embodies the qualities the organization seeks in its roster.
In other practice news, safety Ty Okada, dealing with a hamstring injury, missed Wednesday’s session. Macdonald indicated that Okada has a possibility of suiting up for Sunday, following his absence in the season opener. Safety Ernest Jones IV participated in Wednesday’s drills after missing Monday’s practice due to an illness. Additionally, nickelback Nick Emmanwori, who is managing an ankle issue, and wide receiver Tory Horton, who is recovering from a hamstring problem, both took part in Wednesday’s practice after missing the team’s first game of the season.