Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold returns to practice

Bob Condotta, The Seattle Times on Sep 23, 2026

Published in Football

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RENTON, Wash. — Two weeks after Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold left Lumen Field in an ambulance amid fears he might have dislocated his hip, he returned to the practice field at the VMAC amid hopes he may be able to play Sunday at Washington.

“It’s on a good track right now, assuming today goes well, coach Mike Macdonald said before practice.

Darnold, who was diagnosed with a soft-tissue issue in his glute after X-rays revealed no damage to the hip, went through a stretching and exercise routine for 10 minutes or so on the field before practice began.

As other players assembled for warmups, he put on a helmet and shoulder pads and headed out to practice.

The Seahawks officially listed Darnold as limited in practice.

Macdonald said Darnold was “not going to take every rep today. We’ll ramp it up as the week goes.”

How Darnold performs during practice and how he responds the next day will go a long way toward determining if the team views him as ready to play against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

“We’ll make a decision at some point before Friday’s over," Macdonald said. “I don’t think we’d go into the weekend not knowing if he’s going to play."

Darnold was injured when he was sacked during the first series of The Seahawks' season opener against New England on Sept. 9. Backup Drew Lock played the rest of the game as the Seahawks rallied for a 13-10 win and started and went all the way on Sunday in a 31-7 victory at Arizona.

That the Seahawks have a reliable backup in Lock might lead some to wonder if they could play it cautious in bringing Darnold back.

Macdonald indicated that if Darnold shows he’s able to play, then he’ll be the starter at Washington.

“If it was something where he was at risk of getting worse over the normal risk you take by taking the field, that might be part of the conversation," Macdonald said. “It’s a function at this point of, ‘Does he feel good enough to play?’ ”

One hint on where things are headed could come Thursday, when the Seahawks traditionally make their starting quarterback available to the media.

Running back update

First-round pick Jadarian Price, who suffered a chest injury late in Sunday’s game, was also in pads during the warmup portion of practice open to the media and was listed as limited by the team.

“We’ll see what capacity it is, but he’ll be out there," Macdonald said before practice.

Macdonald said Zach Charbonnet, who remains on the physically unable to perform list while rehabbing from ACL surgery in February, will not be designated to return to practice.

This was the first week Charbonnet could have opened a 21-day window to practice before either going on the active roster or remaining on the PUP list. Charbonnet must miss at least four games but can return to play at any other after next week’s contest against the Chargers.

Thomas signed to active roster

The Seahawks made one roster move Wednesday involving their 53-man roster, signing safety Rodney Thomas II off the practice squad and placing guard Anthony Bradford on injured reserve to make room.

Thomas has started the first two games of the season at safety in place of injured Ty Okada. Thomas could only have been elevated off the practice squad one more time before he would have had to sign to the 53.

Bradford missed the Arizona game with knee and hip injuries and must miss at least four more games after going on IR.

Macdonald said Bradford is expected back this season and that his absence will be “on the shorter side.

Third-year player Christian Haynes started in place of Bradford against the Cardinals, and the Seahawks used rookie Beau Stephens in a rotation. Haynes got 43 snaps and Stephens 27.

Macdonald indicated that rotation could continue.

The Seahawks re-signed nose tackle Uso Seumalo — who was with the team in camp before being released — to the practice squad and added receiver Malick Meiga to the practice squad.

Meiga is on the commissioner’s exempt list as it is reported he still has a visa situation being worked out. Meiga, who played at Coastal Carolina, was born in the Ivory Coast and raised in Montreal. The 6-foot, 4-inch, 205-pounder went undrafted out of Coastal Carolina and spent training camp with the Carolina Panthers before being released.

Note

— Safety Nick Emmanwori, who played nine snaps against Arizona in his first game this season after having arthroscopic ankle surgery in July, was listed as a full participant in practice Wednesday.