Sam Darnold practices fully and aims to start against the Commanders

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold took part in Thursday’s full practice and said he is trying to be in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. In his first media appearance since the injury, Darnold said he is taking it day by day and does not want to rush the process.

As the NFL reports, Darnold suffered the glute injury five plays into Seattle’s 13-10 win over the New England Patriots on September 9 and was initially described by a team spokesperson as a unique soft-tissue hip injury. He was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, while coach Mike Macdonald said the team would decide by the end of Friday whether to start Darnold or backup Drew Lock. Macdonald stressed that the decision would depend on the risk of aggravating the injury and the player’s feel, not on Lock’s performance or the team’s defensive strength. With Darnold out, Seattle’s offense has scored 44 points in two games, while the defense has allowed only 17; Lock has completed 35 of 48 passes for 422 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Darnold said he initially feared the injury might be more serious, but CT results at Harborview Medical Center reassured him; doctors did not consider him a candidate for the injured list that would require missing at least four games. He has worked intensively in rehab, including resistance-band exercises to stay strong and flexible around the hip, and mentioned that he felt a bit sore after Wednesday’s practice but was generally in good shape. For Darnold, the final hurdle to clear is partly mental: being confident when sliding and playing without worrying about the hip, focused only on the game.

According to the NFL, the Seahawks’ injury list included Julian Love’s absence from Thursday’s practice due to a calf injury, placing right guard Anthony Bradford on the injured list, Ty Okada’s non-participation with a hamstring pull over the last two days, the signing of Rodney Thomas II to the 53-man roster expected to start in Okada’s place, and limiting running back Jadarian Price’s participation after the injury in the duel with the Cardinals.