Sam Darnold active to play 49ers, but not on field Seahawks early pregame
Sam Darnold is active to play.
Is he able?
That was the question 90 minutes before kickoff Saturday of the NFC divisional playoff game between Darnold’s Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field.
Darnold, Seattle’s Pro Bowl quarterback, was not on the field for early warmups, before the team announced its inactive players per NFL rules before each game. With all Seahawks in sweatsuits, veteran backup Drew Lock threw passes to starters Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, AJ Barner, Eric Saubert, Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet.
Rookie Jalen Milroe was the other Seahawks QB on the field. He threw to reserves.
Moments after that, the Seahawks announced their inactive players for the game. As usual, Milroe was among the six players inactive. He was again the emergency third quarterback, as he’s been since early October. That meant Milroe could only play if Darnold and Lock both got hurt in the game. And once Milroe would enter the game in those circumstances, only he can finish it at quarterback for Seattle.
Darnold and Lock being the team’s active quarterbacks was a sign the Seahawks were either waiting closer to kickoff to test Darnold’s oblique injury which had him questionable to play, or that he’d already tested it and they’d made their determination. “It’s just something he’s never experienced before,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said on the team’s radio pregame show.
“I think it’s just more precautionary stuff going on.
“Luckily our medical staff (experienced) with it. And we move on.”
Darnold felt his oblique discomfort on his left, non-throwing side Thursday throwing a pass in practice. He didn’t throw from early in that practice when he shut it down Thursday through all of Friday until pregame tests Saturday.
Lock took the first-team offensive plays the rest of practice Thursday after Darnold felt his pain, and all of Friday’s walkthrough practice.
Coach Mike Macdonald was asked Friday about Milroe, who hasn’t played since he fumbled on a play designed for him Oct. 5 in Seattle’s home loss to Tampa Bay.
“He doesn’t take all the reps throughout the week, but he’s doing the same thing he does every week,” Macdonald said of the rookie from Alabama. “He’s been our emergency third for a good bit, so he’s got to be ready to go, if need be.”
Seahawks other inactives
Seattle left inactive for the game rookie defensive end Rylie Mills, rookie linebacker Jared Ivey, injured backup tackle Josh Jones, plus rookie reserve offensive linemen Bryce Cabledue and Mason Richman.
Earlier Saturday the Seahawks promoted Velus Jones Jr. from the practice squad. He was the third running back for the game behind Walker and Charbonnet.
This story was originally published January 17, 2026 at 3:52 PM.
