Seahawks QB Sam Darnold: 'Striving' to make return Sunday - ESPN

RENTON, Wash. — After an injury that briefly had him fearing for his football future, and an «eye-opening» hospital stay, quarterback Sam Darnold is nearing his return to the Seattle Seahawks' starting lineup.

It could happen as soon as Sunday, when the reigning Super Bowl champions play the Washington Commanders (0-2) in Landover, Maryland.

«I'm really striving for that,» Darnold said Thursday. «But… I'm just taking it day by day. I also don't want to jinx anything.»

Darnold was limited Wednesday as he returned to practice after missing most of the first two games because of a glute injury, then was a full participant Thursday. He didn't know he'd be back on the field this soon in any capacity when he went down on the fifth play of the season opener.

It wasn't until a doctor showed him results from a CT scan after Darnold was transported to the hospital midgame that the quarterback could breathe a sigh of relief knowing his season wasn't over and his career shouldn't be impacted.

«There was so many different things that were running through my mind,» Darnold said, «and that was one of them.»

Darnold spent the night of the Seahawks' Sept. 9 opener at Harborview Medical Center, a trauma center near Lumen Field, in part because he needed to undergo more testing, but also because of how much discomfort he was in.

«The perspective on life that I got while going into the hospital, seeing some of the people and what they're dealing with, that was eye-opening, Darnold said, „especially in the position that I was in, worried about the injury and how long I was going to be out. It was good to get that perspective, I guess.“

In Darnold's absence, backup Drew Lock threw for 187 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers against the New