GLENDALE, Ariz. — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold could be back in the practice mix this week after his recovery from a glute injury accelerated, giving the club a decision to make ahead of next Sunday’s home matchup with the winless Washington Commanders.
Coach Mike Macdonald said Darnold’s outlook had improved substantially after Seattle’s 31-7 road victory over the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Darnold was injured on the fifth offensive snap of the season opener against New England, but Macdonald did not eliminate the possibility of his starting quarterback returning for Week 3.
The Seahawks are 2-0, though Drew Lock has made the situation easier by delivering another efficient performance in Darnold’s absence. Macdonald said the quarterback call will come down to one issue: whether Darnold is physically able to play.
“When Sam is ready, he’ll be out there,” Macdonald said. “If he isn’t, Drew is the guy. That’s the decision.”
Lock, Smith-Njigba fuel Seattle’s rout
Making his first start since 2024, Lock completed 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked once and continued the steady approach he showed after replacing Darnold against the Patriots, when he helped Seattle rally for its opening-week win.
All three touchdown throws Sunday went to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year. Their first connection came almost immediately: on Seattle’s second offensive snap, Smith-Njigba used a head fake to get behind the secondary for an 82-yard touchdown.
After Arizona pulled even at 7-7 early in the second quarter, Lock found Smith-Njigba for a 7-yard score in the third quarter and a 12-yard touchdown in the fourth. Both later touchdowns came on third down and helped Seattle pull away.
“We’ve had a strong connection for a while,” Smith-Njigba said. “I’m really happy with the way he stepped in, led himself and led this team. He keeps showing people what kind of quarterback he is.”
Smith-Njigba became the third player in Seahawks history to produce at least 150 receiving yards and three touchdown catches in one game. Tyler Lockett and Steve Largent, who did it twice, are the others. Smith-Njigba also has an NFL-leading 11 games with 100 or more receiving yards since the beginning of last season, and he is Seattle’s first player with three touchdown receptions in a game since DK Metcalf in 2023.
Macdonald praised the receiver’s ability to deliver in critical moments, pointing to the two second-half touchdown catches that helped put Arizona away.
Defense clamps down after Arizona’s early answer
Seattle’s defense, which led the NFL in scoring defense last season, held the Cardinals to 151 total yards. Arizona managed only four first downs after tying the game, with one of those coming on the next-to-last snap.
The Seahawks finished with 381 yards, a 230-yard advantage that marked their largest yardage differential in a game since a 2019 loss to New Orleans, when they gained 249 more yards than the Saints.
Seattle’s final possession underscored its control of the game. The Seahawks drove 70 yards in 16 plays, consumed more than 10 minutes and ended the march with tight end AJ Barner scoring on a tush push.
Running back Jadarian Price exited late in the third quarter with a chest injury, although Macdonald said X-rays for Seattle’s top selection were negative. Emanuel Wilson carried the late workload, recording 10 rushes for 48 yards on the closing drive. He ended with 92 yards on 21 attempts.
The victory was Seattle’s 12th in a row dating to Week 12 of last season and its 10th consecutive win over Arizona.
Lock credited the entire roster, particularly the defense, special teams and offensive line, for helping Seattle put together a complete performance. He said the line had supported him throughout the week and made his transition into the starting role smoother.
Darnold helped Lock prepare for Arizona pressure
Darnold also played a role in Lock’s preparation despite being sidelined. Lock said he felt overwhelmed during Thursday’s walkthrough while sorting through the protection responsibilities Seattle expected against Arizona’s blitz packages.
He turned to Darnold for help with the protection plan and said the discussion made a major difference.
“You hope every quarterback room operates that way, but Sam is different,” Lock said. “If the situation had been reversed, I would have done that for him. For him to help me the way he did, I’m very grateful.”
Seattle now heads into its game against Washington with a capable fill-in quarterback already producing wins, while Darnold’s improved health creates the possibility of an earlier-than-expected return.
