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Seahawks QB Sam Darnold 'Ready To Go'; S Julian Love Ruled Out

Injury updates from Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald ahead of his team’s trip to Washington.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)

Sam Darnold is back and ready to return to the field for the Seahawks' Week 3 game against the Washington Commanders.

Darnold, who suffered a glute injury early in the season opener that caused him to miss Seattle's Week 2 win over Arizona, returned to practice this week and was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. Darnold is not listed with a game status, meaning he is ready to play, and Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that the team's Pro-Bowl quarterback is back.

"Really good," Macdonald said after Friday's practice when asked how Darnold is doing. "Sam's going to play. He's ready go, he's done a great job."

Macdonald later added that Darnold "Has been really positive and says he feels great. He looks great, so we're rolling."

The news is also good on rookie running back Jadarian Price, who left last weekend's game with a chest injury. Price practiced fully on Friday after being limited the previous two days, and he does not have a game status.

"He's taken a ton of reps, I'm excited to see him go play," Macdonald said. "He's ready to go."

On a less positive note, the Seahawks will be without starting safety Julian Love, who is off to a great start with interceptions in each of his first two games. Love injured his calf in practice this week and has been ruled out, meaning the Seahawks will be without both starting safeties, as Ty Okada is out for a third straight game due to a hamstring injury.

"His calf tightened up yesterday and now he's out," Macdonald said of love. Asked if it was potentially a significant injury, Macdonald said, "I don't know how long it's going to be."

With Love out, Macdonald said AJ Finley will join Rodney Thomas II, who has been starting in place of Okada, in the lineup.

"AJ and Rodney will play, then we'll let the actives let you know who's the next guy up," Macdonald said.

Finley, who missed all of last season with a knee injury suffered in training camp, will be making his first start presuming he does indeed start for Love.

"It's one of those where you're really bummed about Julian, obviously, because he's had such a great start to the season and he's such a great player," Macdonald said. "But when AJ got the pick in training camp—I'm just thinking about the journey he's been on over the last year and the way he's really gotten his body back and his movement. He had a great practice today, he's on it. He's as sharp as whip and he's a great communicator, ball skills, all those things. So I'm excited for him to have the opportunity."

Asked about Okada's injury, Macdonald said, "I think it's a day-to-day to week-to-week type of thing. For him to come back, we've just got to make some more progress. But he's a stud, he's working his tail off."

Macdonald said running back Zach Charbonnet, who is on the physically unable to perform list, could return to practice next week.

"As of right now next week is a possibility for him to start practicing," Macdonald said.

Seattle Seahawks

Out

  • S Julian Love (calf, did not participate)
  • S Ty Okada (hamstring, did not participate)

Questionable

  • NT Brandon Pili (concussion/neck, limited participation)

Washington Commanders

Out

  • G Samuel Cosmi (concussion/throat, did not participate)
  • S Nick Cross (illness, did not participate)
  • QB Jayden Daniels (left elbow, did not participate)
  • LB Frankie Luvu (groin, did not participate)
  • TE Chigoziem Okonkwo (hamstring, did not participate)

Check out photos of the Seahawks 53-man roster for the 2026 season.

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