Sam Darnold Ruled Out as Seahawks Turn to Drew Lock Against Raiders

Sam Darnold will not play for the Seahawks in their Week 10 game against the Raiders, Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said on Monday, leaving Drew Lock to start at quarterback for a second straight week. Darnold is recovering from quad and rib injuries, and the trending interest in his name follows the news that he will miss his third game of the season.

Lock steps in again

Macdonald told Seattle Sports radio that Lock had a "good exam" on Monday and is expected to start again. Lock is also dealing with elbow and oblique injuries. Macdonald said the oblique issue is "something that we can manage."

Lock led the Seahawks to a 17-3 win over the Cardinals on Sunday, completing 19 of 28 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 16 yards. He entered that game with tendinitis in his right elbow but was not held back.

Across three appearances this season, Lock has completed 71.1% of his passes for 597 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Rookie Jalen Milroe is slated to back up Lock for the second straight week.

Praise from teammates and coaches

Macdonald praised the medical staff for a plan that kept Lock and Milroe ready, and called Lock "a beast." Cooper Kupp said Lock did not throw much during the week, yet still prepared mentally and played with poise. Safety Julian Love said Lock "plays offense like a defensive player."

Offensive coordinator Grey Zabell pointed to protection as a priority after Darnold was hit often in the previous game. Lock finished without a turnover or sack. Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price combined for 101 yards on 25 carries, which Lock credited for helping the offense.

Lock's oblique injury and the wider roster

Macdonald announced after the Cardinals game that Lock suffered an oblique injury during the win, and the extent of it was unclear. Lock said he had it checked in the medical tent and returned to finish the game. "You feel it, but it was nothing that is going to keep me on the sideline," he said.

Several starters missed Seattle's Week 9 game, including Rashid Shaheed, Leonard Williams and Uchenna Nwosu. Whether any of them return for the Raiders game remains to be seen.

What happens next

Seattle, now 5-4, kicks off in Las Vegas against the Raiders next Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET. The Seahawks have a Week 11 bye after that game. Darnold, who started every game the past two years with Seattle and Minnesota, has not returned to the lineup this season, and his return timeline has not been announced.

For now, Lock's health, especially his oblique, will be the main question as Seattle prepares for the Raiders.

Reporting by Chopal Unfiltered.