Seahawks Injury Report Leaves Questions for QB’s Debut
Sam Darnold’s debut as a Seattle Seahawk could be quite the test for the often-maligned quarterback. Darnold signed a three-year contract this past offseason to become Seattle's QB1, replacing Geno Smith, who was dealt to Las Vegas in March. When the new look offense takes the field against San Francisco, it will potentially be without many of its weapons. As of Saturday, the Seahawks' Injury report shows four out of six wide receivers injured.
While Seahawks fans can be thankful that the team's top two receivers are healthy, the position is very shaky outside of them. Fan favorite Jake Bobo is officially out with a concussion, leaving Seattle without their WR3. Dareke Young is also out with a calf injury, meaning Jaxon Smith-Njiba will be the only Seahawks receiver playing on Sunday to have previously suited up in the Navy Blue and Action Green. Rookie Tory Horton and free-agent signing Cody White are dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries, respectively, but were both full participants in Friday’s practice.
Darnold has a lot of eyes on him in this debut, coming off a resurgent regular season in Minnesota last season. He thrived through most of the regular season but crumbled when it mattered most. The former third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has bounced around the league. Now on his fifth team in his eighth year in the league, he once again has a true starting job. If Darnold can put up a strong performance in his first game in a new system, with a battered receiver room, he could quiet some of the doubters.
Fortunately for him, the 49ers lost their top cornerback, Charvarius Ward, starting free safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebackers Leonard Floyd and Dre Greenlaw, as well as defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins in the offseason. As if all those losses weren’t rough enough for the San Francisco defense, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos did not participate in practice on Friday. This weakened 49ers defense could lead to an easy game for Darnold, but the potential lack of receivers could complicate things. While the rivalry has faded from the national spotlight, these two teams very much dislike each other, so a gritty, close game should be expected.
