Seahawks Quarterback Sam Darnold Out for Week 9 Due to Quad Injury

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold will miss Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals due to a quadriceps injury sustained late in Monday night's loss to the Chicago Bears. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald announced the roster update to reporters on Wednesday, confirming that Darnold is listed as week-to-week.

The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks fell to a 4-4 record following their 34-17 defeat against the Bears, a physical contest where Darnold also suffered a cracked rib on the second play of the game. Despite the accumulation of injuries, Macdonald noted that Darnold will not be placed on the injured reserve list and expressed confidence in his eventual return, stating that he is tough as nails.

With Darnold sidelined, backup quarterback Drew Lock is expected to take the starting role. Lock has previous starting experience against Arizona this season, having led Seattle to a 31-7 victory over the Cardinals on September 20 while throwing for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Lock also filled in during the first two games of the season while Darnold was recovering from a glute injury.

Managing Lock's return introduces distinct challenges for the coaching staff, as the backup quarterback has recently been recovering from an elbow injury. Macdonald acknowledged that while Lock is able to throw the ball, the team will carefully manage his workload during practice throughout the week rather than letting him take a high volume of throws.

Third-string quarterback Jalen Milroe will also prepare for action as a backup option in case Lock's practice limitations necessitate further adjustments. Additionally, the club is evaluating whether to add another quarterback to the roster this week to provide additional depth while Darnold recovers.

Darnold has experienced a challenging start to the season after signing a three-year contract with Seattle last year. Over seven games, he has completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 1,478 yards, throwing 10 touchdowns alongside nine interceptions. Despite these offensive struggles and a sputtering running game, Macdonald and his teammates have consistently expressed strong support for their starting quarterback.

Teammates have voiced high praise for Lock's leadership and readiness when called upon. Safety Julian Love previously described Lock as an elite backup capable of making plays consistently in practice, while linebacker Ernest Jones IV emphasized the team's trust in his abilities. Lock will now look to replicate his early-season success as the Seahawks attempt to rebound against their NFC West rivals.