The Seattle Seahawks are the defending Super Bowl champions, and they've shown why through the first two weeks of the season. They edged out a narrow 13-10 win over the reigning AFC champion Patriots in the season opener, then dismantled a competitive Cardinals team on Sunday, leaving Arizona with a 31-7 victory. What's most impressive is that they've done most of that without starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who left the Patriots game early with a glute injury.
He still hasn't returned to practice in Seattle, let alone suited up for a game. But that appears set to change. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Darnold is expected to return to practice this week, possibly as soon as Wednesday.
"It sounds like Sam Darnold has a chance to return this week," Rapoport said. "They want to be cautious with him. The fact that he's going to be out there practicing this week is a very good sign.
This was the word we got on Sunday, that he's healing faster than anybody would have imagined, and this is all really good ... Maybe another week of Drew Lock, but sooner rather than later for Darnold." More news: Bears Could Turn to 38-Year-Old Veteran QB After Caleb Williams Injury Lock has stepped in for Darnold over the first two games and has looked poised under center, completing 72.9% of his passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions. He currently leads the NFL with a passer rating of 127.3, ahead of Jaxson Dart (125.9), Josh Allen (125.8), and Brock Purdy (125.6).
It helps that Lock has Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who currently leads the league with 277 receiving yards and four touchdowns, accounting for much of that production. But that shouldn't take away from how well Lock has played. Still, he remains the backup, and the organization is committed to Darnold as its starting quarterback.
More news: Joey Porter Jr Rejected Deal to Pay Him More than Patrick Surtain, Jaycee Horn More news: Eagles Bring Back Super Bowl Hero After Dallas Goedert Injury Last season, his first in Seattle, Darnold threw for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns with 14 interceptions, completing 67.7% of his passes, earning his second straight Pro Bowl nod, and helping the Seahawks win a Super Bowl. He remains the guy in Seattle, but with how well Lock has played, there's clearly no need to rush him back. The Seahawks next face the Commanders, who are 0-2 and just lost Jayden Daniels, before a home game against the struggling Chargers in Week 4.
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