Sam Darnold injury update: NFL insider provides latest on Seahawks QB ahead of Super Bowl week

Seahawks fans held their breath when earlier this month it was revealed that QB Sam Darnold injured his oblique at practice. While injured, he’s led Seattle to two playoff wins and a Super Bowl appearance.

The oblique injury hasn’t gone away, however. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed that Darnold is still limited heading into the weekend before the Super Bowl.

“He has not logged a full practice since Jan. 15 when his oblique injury flared up,” Fowler revealed. “But, I’m told not to worry. They’ve just been really cautious to make sure he doesn’t let it rip in practice. You know, not be a full go. They want to make sure he’s not trying too much and saving it all for game day.

“But that oblique injury, for Seattle they have to just be a little careful with the throws he made, making sure he wasn’t on the run too much, trying to let it rip 50-60 yards downfield. But he is good to go. This last practice was more of a rest situation, so he’s expected to be completely healthy for the game.”

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that Darnold “barely practiced all week” leading up to the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite his limited nature in practice, it didn’t translate to game day as he finished with 346 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The game before during the Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers, Darnold given less of a workload. He threw the ball 17 times, completing 12 of those for 124 yards and a touchdown. However, the Seahawks won 41-6.

Darnold isn’t the only Super Bowl QB currently dealing with an injury. New England Patriots QB Drake Maye is dealing with an “ominous” shoulder injury.

According to Fowler, Maye has also been limited at practice while nursing the injury. He’s also dealing with an illness which kept him out of Friday’s practice. Despite this, like Darnold, Fowler expects Maye to play, and play well.

Both QBs have an extra week to get healthy before the big game is played. The Super Bowl is set for Sunday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. ET and will air live on NBC.

This will be the second time in 11 years that the Super Bowl will be contested between Seattle and New England. Infamously, the Patriots won following a Malcolm Butler interception at the goal line in the final minute of the game.