Sam Darnold will miss Seattle’s Week 10 game at the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Seahawks expect Drew Lock to start. Coach Mike Macdonald confirmed the plan on November 9, 2026. Lock is managing elbow and oblique problems, so his expected start comes with a practice plan tailored to his condition.
The decision follows Seattle’s 17–3 win over Arizona on Sunday, November 8, when Lock played in place of Darnold. With another road game approaching, the question for Seattle is how to prepare a replacement who also needs treatment while giving its regular starter more recovery time.
Darnold’s absence and the possible return window
The club identifies Darnold’s problems as quadricep and rib injuries. In its afternoon update, Macdonald said he was progressing but needed more time. Asked about a return after the Week 11 bye, the coach was hopeful. That is a possible window, rather than an announced return date.
The decision therefore establishes an injury absence for the Raiders game. It does not establish a permanent change at quarterback or tell readers exactly how long healing will take. Those wider conclusions would require a later team decision or medical update.
How Seattle will prepare Lock
Lock entered the Arizona game with an elbow issue and hurt his oblique during it. Monday’s assessment was encouraging enough for the team to expect him to play again. His own condition explains why the club’s plan includes limits even as it prepares him for another start.
Macdonald said Lock would take fewer practice repetitions and throws, with the details adjusted day by day. Some work can involve Lock without throwing; Jalen Milroe also takes work. That preparation gives Seattle options and does not, by itself, name Milroe as the starter.
What can change before kickoff
Before kickoff, follow the club’s official injury report, linked below, together with its dated injury updates. Practice participation describes work completed that day; the latest game designation and team announcement address availability. A subsequent change to Lock’s condition could alter the expected plan.
The clearest reading of Monday’s announcement is a confirmed Darnold absence and an expected Lock start under managed preparation. Lock’s progress during the week is the immediate development to watch. Darnold’s post-bye availability remains a separate question for a later update.
Dated original sources and applicable conditions are linked below. Confirmed facts, interpretation and unverified details are distinguished.
- Seattle Seahawks:November9 morning quarterback update ↗
- Seattle Seahawks:November9 afternoon injury update ↗