Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold looks on after a play against the New England Patriots at Lumen Field on Sept. 9 in Seattle. (Tribune News Service)
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold looks on after a play against the New England Patriots at Lumen Field on Sept. 9 in Seattle. (Tribune News Service)
RENTON – Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold will get his wish.
A day after Darnold told reporters he was “really striving’’ to play Sunday at Washington, the Seahawks did not list him on its injury report.
Coach Mike Macdonald said Darnold looked “really good” in practices this week and is “going to play” against the Commanders.
“He’s ready to go,” Macdonald said. “He’s done a great job.”
However, the Seahawks suddenly have a new significant injury concern entering Sunday’s 10 a.m. game, as safety Julian Love has been ruled out because of a calf injury.
Love was listed as not participating in practice Thursday, the first time it was known he had an injury. He also did not practice Friday and was ruled out.
“His calf tightened up yesterday, and now he’s out,” Macdonald said of Love, who has interceptions in each of Seattle’s first two games. “I don’t know how long it’s going to be.”
Love’s injury means the Seahawks will play Washington without either of its projected starting safeties entering the season. Ty Okada was ruled out for a third consecutive game because of a hamstring injury.
Rodney Thomas II has started in place of Okada the past two weeks and figures to do so again. Thomas was signed to the 53-man roster this week off the practice squad.
Nick Emmanwori, who had ankle surgery in July, is not on the injury report after making his season debut Sunday with nine snaps at Arizona. Macdonald said Emmanwori will play against Washington.
But the Seahawks might likely prefer to leave Emmanwori in his hybrid, third-safety role instead of serving as a direct replacement for Love.
That means Seattle could use AJ Finley to replace Love and could elevate D’Anthony Bell from the practice squad.
Macdonald said, “AJ and Rodney will play, and we’ll let the actives let you know who’s going to play, who’s the next guy up.”
If Finley were to get the start it would mark a big moment in his career. Seattle claimed Finley off waivers from the Chargers late in the 2024 season and he saw action in four games, mostly on special teams.
He was battling for a spot on the 53-man roster in 2025 before suffering an ACL injury in the mock game at Lumen Field and missed the rest of the season. He recovered from the knee injury and surgery to have a solid camp this year – including an interception in the mock game at Lumen Field – but was initially waived at the cutdown to 53 before being re-signed to the practice squad and then signed to the active roster on the day of the opener against the Patriots.
Getting a start would be a first for the 25-year-old Finley, who made the Chargers roster in 2023 as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss.
“It’s one of those (situations) where you’re bummed about Julian,” Macdonald said. “He’s had such a great start to the season. He’s such a great player. When AJ got the pick in training camp (in the mock game), I’m just thinking about the journey he’s been on over the last year and the way he’s gotten his body back and his movement and he had a great practice today. He’s on it now. He’s as sharp as a whip and he’s a great communicator, ball skills, all those things. I’m excited for him to have the opportunity.”
The Seahawks also did not list rookie running back Jadarian Price on the injury report after he suffered a chest/shoulder injury late in Sunday’s win at Arizona. He practiced on at least a limited basis all week and was listed as a full participant Friday and will play against Washington.
“He’s taking a ton of reps,” Macdonald said. “Excited to see him go play, he’s ready to go.”
As for Darnold, the game will mark a quicker-than-expected return from an injury he suffered on the first series of the season opener against the New England Patriots on Sept. 9. Darnold was taken off Lumen Field by ambulance and to Harborview Medical Center for an immediate CT scan on his hip.
That scan showed no breaks with Darnold and was diagnosed with a soft-tissue area in his glute. The team indicated Darnold would not be out long by not placing him on injured reserve, which would have required missing four games.
Still, much speculation indicated Darnold might miss at least more than one game.
Instead, he will end up sitting out only last Sunday’s game at Arizona, when backup Drew Lock threw three touchdown passes to Jaxon Smith-Njigba to fuel a 31-7 win and a 2-0 start for the Seahawks as they attempt to become the 10th team in NFL history to win back-to-back Super Bowls.
Macdonald said with a smile that “it’s a medical miracle that he’s back.”
But Macdonald said Darnold showed what the team needed to see in practice this week to be declared ready to play. After being listed as limited on Wednesday he was a full participant on Thursday and Friday.
“Just to see him confident in the things that he’s been doing,” Macdonald said. “He’s been positive and says he feels great. He looks great. We’re rolling.”
In an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” posted Friday, Smith-Njigba said “we get to have Sam Darnold back, so I’m excited to show out each and every week.”
Asked if that comment meant Darnold is returning this week, Smith-Njigba smiled, flashed two thumbs up and said, “it looks good. He looks good out there, I’ll say that. He looks really good. You can expect it.”