The Seattle Seahawks have ruled out quarterback Sam Darnold for their Week 9 contest against the Arizona Cardinals because of a quadriceps injury, according to head coach Mike Macdonald. Drew Lock will make his second start of the season in Darnold’s absence, though Lock is managing an elbow issue that will be monitored throughout the week.
Darnold suffered the injury during the Seahawks’ recent 34-17 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night, in which he completed 17 of 34 pass attempts for 188 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Lock previously started against Arizona earlier this season when Darnold was sidelined by a soft-tissue injury. In that matchup, Lock completed 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-7 victory, with Seattle out-gaining Arizona 381 yards to 151 yards.
Darnold has struggled since the team’s Super Bowl run last season. The quarterback holds a 3-4 record as a starter while averaging 211 passing yards per game, with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His 23 interceptions since 2025 tie for the most in the NFL, and his EPA per dropback when pressured ranks last in the league. CBS Sports analyst Ben DiNucci suggested that Lock may actually provide the 4-4 Seahawks a better chance to win at the quarterback position.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are also starting a new quarterback this week, as Mike LaFleur has benched Jacoby Brissett in favor of Gardner Minshew. Minshew came off the bench in the previous game against Dallas, throwing three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to help overcome a 14-point deficit and secure a 33-30 overtime victory.
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