The stakes are high, and every player's availability matters! The Seahawks are facing the 49ers in a crucial divisional round game, and all eyes are on quarterback Sam Darnold. Despite a concerning oblique injury that had him listed as questionable, Darnold declared himself ready to play, and he is indeed active for the game. But here's where it gets interesting...
Darnold sustained the oblique issue during Thursday's practice, leading to his limited participation and the dreaded 'questionable' tag. An oblique injury, for those unfamiliar, involves the muscles on the side of your abdomen. Any quarterback will tell you that these muscles are crucial for generating the torque needed for powerful and accurate throws. Darnold, however, remained optimistic.
"I feel good," Darnold stated confidently after practice. "In routes on air, I just felt a little something in my oblique. I just didn't want to push it. It wasn't the day to push it, so that was it. I came inside, got some rehab, and I feel like I'll be ready to go for Saturday. We'll attack it the next couple of days and be ready to go on Saturday… It is what it is. I felt it on a throw, but we'll be ready to go."
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald echoed Darnold's optimism a day later, stating he was "really optimistic he's going to be able to play." This positive outlook suggests that the injury wasn't as severe as initially feared. But this is the part most people miss: even if Darnold is active, how effective will he really be with a compromised oblique? It could affect his throwing power and accuracy, potentially impacting the Seahawks' offensive game plan.
Adding another layer to the quarterback situation, rookie Jalen Milroe is inactive, as has been the trend for most of the season. He will, however, dress as the emergency third quarterback. This means Milroe could only see playing time if both Darnold and Drew Lock were unavailable. Think of it as an absolute last resort scenario, a safety net in case disaster strikes.
The only player ruled out due to injury is tackle Josh Jones, sidelined with a knee issue. Jones had been filling in for Charles Cross, who was out with a hamstring injury. The good news is Cross is back in action after missing three games! This is a significant boost for the Seahawks' offensive line. With Jones unavailable, rookie Amari Kight is slated to be the backup tackle, ready to step in if needed. It's always beneficial to have depth, especially in the trenches.
In addition to Cross's return, the Seahawks are also welcoming back safety Coby Bryant, who had been sidelined for the final two regular-season games due to a knee injury. Bryant's return bolsters the Seahawks' secondary, providing much-needed experience and playmaking ability.
Turning our attention to the 49ers, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is active after being listed as questionable. He's making his return after missing the previous two games, including the Week 18 showdown against Seattle. The 49ers will also have left tackle Trent Williams, who sat out that Week 18 game with a hamstring injury but returned for the wild card round. However, they will be without a key offensive weapon: tight end George Kittle. Kittle was placed on injured reserve this week after tearing his Achilles tendon in the wild card victory over Philadelphia. Kittle's absence is a major blow to the 49ers' offense, depriving them of a reliable target and a dynamic playmaker.
Here's a complete look at the inactive lists for both teams:
Seattle Seahawks
* QB Jalen Milroe (emergency third QB)
* LB Jared Ivey
* G/T Josh Jones
* G Bryce Cabeldue
* G/T Mason Richman
* DE Rylie Mills
San Francisco 49ers
* S Ji'Ayir Brown
* RB Isaac Guerendo
* DT Kevin Givens
* DT Sebastian Valdez
* T Brandon Parker
* WR Jordan Watkins
* DE Robert Beal
It's also worth noting that the Seahawks elevated RB Velus Jones Jr. from the practice squad for this crucial divisional round game. He could provide a spark on special teams or offer additional depth in the running game. This is a move that suggests the Seahawks are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for victory. Some might argue that elevating a practice squad player at this stage is a sign of desperation, while others see it as a shrewd move to add versatility and unpredictability. What do you think? Is it a smart gamble, or a risky move that could backfire?
What's your take on Darnold's availability and potential impact? Do you think he'll be able to perform at his best despite the oblique injury? And how much will Kittle's absence affect the 49ers' offensive strategy? Let us know your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
