Seahawks Plan Sam Darnold Return Against Washington

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said Friday that quarterback Sam Darnold had been cleared to play and would start Sunday against the Washington Commanders, setting up his return after a glute injury sidelined him for most of the team’s first two games. The pregame reports do not establish whether Darnold ultimately played or the outcome of Sunday’s game. Darnold was hurt during Seattle’s season opener against the New England Patriots on September 9. He left after completing one of two passes for 13 yards, and Drew Lock took over at quarterback. Darnold then missed Seattle’s Week 2 game, a 31-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals, with Lock starting. Macdonald said Darnold was ready to go after progressing from limited practice work Wednesday to full participation Thursday and Friday, according to reports of the coach’s comments. Seattle also removed Darnold from its injury report Friday, one report said. The team’s plan was for him to return to the starting role against Washington, but the available information does not confirm his game-day status. Darnold said earlier in the week that initial uncertainty about the injury left him concerned about how long he might be out.