Just days before Super Bowl LX, a question lingers in the minds of Seattle Seahawks fans: Can Sam Darnold truly overcome his oblique injury to lead the team to victory? But here's where it gets intriguing—despite the concerns, both Darnold and head coach Mike Macdonald seem remarkably confident. In a recent update, Darnold assured reporters, 'It feels really good. The time off has definitely helped, and I'm taking it one step at a time with my rehab to ensure I'm ready for Sunday.' Macdonald echoed this optimism, stating, 'He's in a great spot and improving daily.'
And this is the part most people miss—Darnold's resilience isn't just talk. He's already proven his mettle by playing through the injury in both playoff games, even throwing three touchdown passes in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams. Yet, the Seahawks have consistently listed him as a limited participant in practices since the injury on January 15. After his stellar performance against the Rams, Macdonald revealed that Darnold 'barely' practiced that week, raising questions about his workload leading up to the Super Bowl.
The Seahawks arrived in the Bay Area on Sunday, maintaining their regular weekly routine with workouts on Monday and a day off on Tuesday. They’ll continue practicing at San Jose State University, with Macdonald noting, 'We’ll see how today plays out. His participation is gradually increasing, but I can’t pinpoint the exact number of throws he’ll make.'
Here’s where it gets controversial—while Darnold’s availability for the game against the New England Patriots has never been in doubt, the extent of his practice involvement remains a topic of debate. Will limited practice time affect his performance on the biggest stage? Or will his determination and gradual improvement silence the skeptics? As the first injury report of the week drops later today, fans and analysts alike are on the edge of their seats.
What do you think? Is Darnold’s confidence justified, or is the Seahawks’ cautious approach a sign of deeper concerns? Let us know in the comments—this is one discussion you won’t want to miss!
