Darnold Plays Through Injury in Both NFC Playoff Wins — Sam Darnold started and completed 37 of 53 passes for 470 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions across Seattle’s two postseason victories, despite an oblique strain that began on Jan. 15 [1]. He remained on the field for the Rams‑Seahawks NFC championship win (31‑27) and the earlier playoff game, showing the team’s reliance on his arm even while injured [1]. His performance helped secure Seattle’s first Super Bowl appearance since 2014 [1].

Quarterback Declares He Feels “Really Good” After Practice — Following Wednesday’s practice, Darnold told reporters he feels “really good” and is focused on rehab and preparation for Sunday’s championship [1]. He emphasized that the limited practice load has allowed his injury to improve, reinforcing his confidence heading into the game [1]. The quarterback’s optimism contrasts with typical post‑injury caution, signaling readiness for the upcoming contest [1].

Coaching Staff Increases Pass Reps Gradually — Head coach Mike Macdonald noted that Darnold’s pass volume in practice is rising and that he is “right on schedule” after being restricted early in the playoff run [1]. Macdonald’s comments reflect a deliberate pacing strategy to balance recovery with maintaining game‑speed readiness [1]. The coaching staff’s measured approach aims to preserve Darnold’s health while ensuring he remains sharp for the Super Bowl [1].

Injury Timeline Shows Strain Began Jan. 15, Limiting Practices — The oblique strain was diagnosed on Jan. 15, causing Darnold to miss or limit eight practice sessions throughout the playoff stretch [1]. Reduced repetitions initially slowed his preparation, but the downtime contributed to the “really good” feeling he reported later [1]. The timeline underscores how the injury’s management impacted both his on‑field performance and off‑field recovery [1].