The Seattle Seahawks have officially activated quarterback Sam Darnold for Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders, while the Commanders confirmed that quarterback Jayden Daniels will not undergo surgery for his dislocated elbow and is expected to return within a month.
Seahawks activate Darnold after injury recovery
The Seahawks removed Darnold from the injury report on Friday, clearing him to start Sunday’s game. Head coach Mike Macdonald stated that Darnold performed well in practice this week, calling his progress "really good." Macdonald added: "Sam’s going to play, and he’s ready to go." Darnold exited the season opener in the fifth play due to a glute injury but was later cleared by medical staff after a hospital visit confirmed the injury was not season-ending.
Darnold’s return follows two games in which backup Drew Lock stepped in, completing 35-of-48 passes for 422 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. The Seahawks, currently 2-0, have relied on Lock’s strong performances, which contrast with his prior career struggles, including a 4-9 record as the Denver Broncos’ starter in 2020. The team’s depth at quarterback has been a point of discussion in past seasons.
Commanders rule out surgery for Daniels’ elbow injury
The Commanders announced that Jayden Daniels will not require surgery for his dislocated left elbow, though he is expected to miss multiple games, with a return timeline of no more than four weeks. General manager Adam Peters confirmed the decision after consulting with multiple specialists, stating that Daniels can resume play without surgery. Peters noted: "Surgery is not on the table and we haven’t discussed IR."
Daniels suffered the injury during Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys after stumbling and bracing himself against the turf. X-rays revealed no fracture, and the elbow was manually reset. This marks the second time Daniels has dislocated the same elbow, having suffered the injury previously against the Seahawks last season. The Commanders’ decision to avoid surgery contrasts with some medical opinions that initially suggested a season-ending procedure might be necessary.
Week 3 matchup implications
The availability of both quarterbacks sets the stage for a pivotal Week 3 game. Darnold, the Super Bowl LX champion, seeks to prove his consistency after a less dominant 2023 season, while Daniels’ absence forces the Commanders to rely on backup options. The Seahawks enter the game as favorites, with Lock’s early success providing stability. Meanwhile, the Commanders’ offensive outlook hinges on Daniels’ recovery timeline, though the team’s medical staff remains optimistic about his return.
The game will also feature the Commanders without starting running back Brian Robinson Jr., who remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained in Week 2.