Seahawks confirm expected Sam Darnold news for Commanders game

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks sounded like a quarterback who believed he would return from injury and start Seattle's Week 3 game at the 0-2 Washington Commanders this coming Sunday. 

On Friday afternoon, the Seahawks revealed some expected news. 

Seahawks get Sam Darnold back

As shared by Grant Gordon of the NFL's website, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed during his news conference that Darnold has no injury designation and will start against Washington. Macdonald's update was hardly surprising, as Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba seemed to accidentally break the news about Darnold's return during a Friday appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show." 

Darnold attempted just two passes before he suffered what was first said to be a glute injury but later called a "very unique soft-tissue" issue in Seattle's Week 1 win over the New England Patriots back on Sept. 9. Since that time, backup Drew Lock has filled in for Seattle, and he produced a stellar showing as he completed 19-of-26 passes for 235 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in a blowout 31-7 victory at the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 20. 

There was a thought earlier in the week that the Seahawks could give Lock the start against Washington to ensure Darnold would be 100 percent for Seattle's Week 4 home game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 4. However, Macdonald and the rest of his staff clearly felt that Darnold was ready to reclaim his role as the club's QB1. 

One potential concern about Sam Darnold returning

Also on Thursday, Darnold interestingly admitted that he initially feared after he suffered his injury that his season was over and that his long-term career could be impacted. Such comments could lead one to believe that Darnold may see "ghosts" or be more concerned about avoiding would-be tacklers than about hitting receivers with pinpoint passes in certain moments of Sunday's game. 

Of course, Darnold could eliminate such worries by producing a solid outing against a winless Commanders team that will be without injured starting quarterback Jayden Daniels (dislocated left elbow). Shortly after  Macdonald spoke, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Seahawks as 7.5-point road favorites for this Sunday's game.