Sam Darnold‘s injury status became the late week storyline that briefly shifted the tone of a high stakes NFC divisional clash, creating a flicker of doubt around Seattle‘s offensive outlook before optimism returned just as quickly.
For a matchup already layered with familiarity and tension, the uncertainty added a fresh strategic wrinkle for the San Francisco 49ers, even if it may ultimately change very little on game night.
Darnold was listed as questionable after feeling tightness in his left oblique during Thursday’s practice and exiting early as a precaution.
The sight of Seattle‘s starting quarterback on the injury report naturally raised eyebrows given his central role in guiding the Seahawks to the conference’s top seed and home field advantage.
Head coach Mike Macdonald, however, offered a steady message when addressing reporters Friday.
“We’re listing him as questionable. Really optimistic he’s going to be able to play,” Macdonald said. “Right now we’re going through all the protocol just out of caution. We’ll test it out and make the final decision, but again, we’re optimistic.”
Darnold reinforced that confidence, telling reporters the chances of missing Saturday’s game felt “very low,” closer to zero. He explained that he simply did not want to push through discomfort during practice and preferred to prioritize treatment and recovery.
During Friday’s walkthrough, he was seen making light throws while continuing rehab work, a sign the team is managing the situation rather than bracing for a setback.
Backup Drew Lock remains prepared if plans suddenly change, but Seattle‘s expectation remains that Darnold will start.
Why the update matters for San Francisco
For the 49ers, Darnold‘s injury initially hinted at a possible advantage, forcing defensive coaches to consider contingency plans and altered pressure packages.
As optimism grew around Darnold‘s availability, those adjustments became less relevant, reinforcing that San Francisco will likely face the same quarterback it prepared for all week.
That matters because Darnold has been a stabilizing presence in Seattle‘s resurgence. He finished the regular season with more than 4,000 passing yards and guided the Seahawks to a 14 win campaign, including a pivotal Week 18 victory over the 49ers that secured the NFC West and the conference’s top seed.
His ability to control tempo, vary cadence and protect the football has been central to Seattle‘s efficiency.
The setting also favors the Seahawks. Lumen Field will host its first full capacity playoff crowd in years, and Darnold has emphasized the impact of crowd noise on protections and snap timing.
That environment becomes even more significant as San Francisco continues to manage key defensive absences, including linebacker Fred Warner, whose leadership and communication anchor the middle of the defense.
The 49ers arrive confident after a road playoff win, but the margin narrows against a rested opponent playing at home. The brief uncertainty around Seattle‘s quarterback created intrigue, but clarity appears to have arrived.
Darnold is still chasing his first postseason victory after a difficult playoff debut last season. He has stressed treating the week like any other and avoiding the emotional weight of January football.
For Seattle, stability under center reinforces that approach. For San Francisco, it confirms the challenge remains unchanged.
Saturday night will come down to execution, discipline and handling pressure in a hostile stadium. The injury scare added suspense, but the likely reality is straightforward: the 49ers must beat the Seahawks at full strength to keep their season alive.
