The Seahawks are getting their quarterback back at the right time, but the secondary is taking a hit heading into Week 3.
Sam Darnold has been cleared to play against the Washington Commanders, giving Seattle a boost after he missed the opening two games. His absence started with what was believed to be a hip injury, but after the game it was diagnosed as a glute injury and labeled week-to-week. Darnold has not taken over since the opening drive of the season.
Seattle managed to keep moving without him. Drew Lock opened with a win over the New England Patriots in Week 1, then started against the Arizona Cardinals and threw three touchdowns in a 31-7 victory. Even so, Darnold remains the player who guided this team to the Super Bowl last season.
The bad news for Seattle came on the defensive side, where safety Julian Love has been ruled out with a calf injury. That’s a significant loss considering Love has already put together nine tackles and two interceptions. Fellow safety Ty Okada is also out with a hamstring injury and has yet to make his debut this season.
With both Love and Okada unavailable, the Seahawks will need more from Nick Emmanwori and Rodney Thomas. Emmanwori made his debut in Week 2 after coming back from an ankle injury.
Washington enters the matchup at 0-2 and will also be missing its quarterback. Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and while the Commanders do not expect him to miss as much time as it first appeared, he is out for this game. Linebacker Frankie Luvu and tight end Chig Okonkwo are also set to sit.
The teams meet Sunday at 10:00 a.m. PT.
In Other News...
Seahawks Rookie Suddenly Has A Week 3 Chance Fans Will Notice
A few names stand out on the Week 3 anytime-touchdown board, but the Seahawks rookie running back is the one that should catch Seattle fans attention. With the betting preview pointing to a chance for Jadarian Price to find the end zone, the angle is less about a splashy storyline and more about opportunity, especially for a player whose role can grow quickly if the matchup breaks the right way.
Price is part of a broader group of touchdown candidates that also includes David Montgomery, Tee Higgins and Harold Fannin Jr., but Seattles interest is obvious. The Seahawks have spent enough time trying to piece together reliable red-zone production that any rookie with a real scoring path becomes worth watching, and Week 3 offers exactly the kind of opening that can turn a side note into something bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Face A Drew Lock Decision That Could Backfire Fast
Sam Darnold is back in place as the Seahawks starting quarterback, which pushes Drew Lock back into the backup role and immediately puts Seattle in a familiar roster-management spot. Locks value is a little tricky to sort out because he has looked good enough to attract interest, he is playing on an expiring contract, and the team also has Jalen Milroe on hand as another option behind Darnold.
For Seattle, the question is whether to cash in on Lock now and try to get some draft capital back, or keep him around as insurance in case the quarterback room gets tested again. Trading him could bring back a pick, but moving on too soon also leaves the Seahawks thinner if they need a proven contingency plan, which is why this one could turn fast depending on how the market develops. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Could Be Facing A Bigger Seattle Backfield Threat Than Expected
Emanuel Wilson is in line for a bigger workload in Week 3, and that gives Seattles offense another layer for Washington to worry about. With Jadarian Price dealing with a chest injury, Wilsons role could expand after a strong showing in Week 2, putting him squarely in the conversation as a possible anytime touchdown option when the Seahawks meet the Commanders.
For a Seattle backfield that already looked like it might be shifting, Wilsons timing is notable. If Price is limited or unavailable, the Seahawks could lean more heavily on Wilson for carries and scoring chances, which is why DraftKings Sportsbook has him listed at +220 to score. It is the kind of late-week development that can change both game planning and fantasy expectations in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]