Sam Darnold sits out as Drew Lock takes over for Seattle

Sam Darnold will not play for the Seattle Seahawks in their Week 9 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed on Wednesday that the quarterback is out due to a quad injury. This absence comes after a difficult week for the defending Super Bowl champions, who suffered a lopsided loss to the Chicago Bears earlier in the week.

Drew Lock is scheduled to start in Darnold's place. Jalen Milroe will serve as the backup quarterback. Lock is currently recovering from an elbow injury, which adds a layer of complexity to his immediate return to the starting lineup. Macdonald stated that Lock is able to throw but that the coaching staff is still determining the appropriate volume for his practice sessions.

The team plans to manage Lock's workload carefully throughout the week. Macdonald noted that the quarterback will throw the ball daily but will not take a full practice load of 8,000 throws. The coaching staff is working through the details of his readiness, aiming to balance his performance with his recovery from the elbow issue.

Darnold's injury is not severe enough to require placement on injured reserve. That designation would have forced him to miss at least four games. However, the nature of the quad injury is serious enough that the club may look to add another quarterback to the roster during this week's transactions. Macdonald expressed confidence in Darnold's durability, describing him as tough and expecting a return to the lineup soon.

The injury to Darnold occurred during the Seahawks' 34-17 loss to the Chicago Bears. He suffered a cracked rib on the second play of that game and was sacked three times. The performance gap between the two teams was evident, with the Bears displaying a clear physical advantage over Seattle in the contest.

Lock will make his second start of the season in this matchup. He previously started against Arizona on Sept. 20, leading the Seahawks to a 31-7 victory. In that game, Lock completed passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns. The outcome of Sunday's game will determine whether Lock's brief tenure as the starter continues or if Darnold returns in subsequent weeks.

The Seahawks face the Cardinals on Sunday. The team will finalize its roster decisions and practice plans in the coming days. Lock's elbow recovery and Darnold's quad healing will dictate the depth and activity levels for the offense throughout the week.