Seahawks' Sam Darnold hurts oblique but expects to face 49ers - ESPN

RENTON, Wash. — Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold expects to play Saturday in the team's divisional round playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers despite an oblique injury that has him listed as questionable.

The injury occurred Thursday. Darnold said he «felt a little something» in the oblique on his left side while throwing during a routes-on-air period, and that he left practice as a precautionary measure.

«Just didn't want to push it,» Darnold said. «Wasn't the day to push it. So that was it. Just came inside, got some rehab, and I feel like I'll be ready to go for Saturday.»

The Seahawks listed Darnold as a limited participant.

The only other Seattle players with game designations are tight end Elijah Arroyo, linebacker Chazz Surratt and tackle Josh Jones, all backups who have been ruled out. Left tackle Charles Cross and safety Coby Bryant will return after missing three and two games, respectively.

Darnold was asked what percent of him thinks he may not play Saturday.

«Very low percentage,» he said. «Probably closer to zero.»

Veteran Drew Lock is Darnold's backup. Jalen Milroe, a rookie third-round pick, is Seattle's QB3.

Darnold said he has never dealt with an oblique injury and that he'll get treatment between now and game time, adding: «We'll attack it the next couple days and be ready to go for Saturday.»

Darnold, signed by the Seahawks in March after they traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, is set to make the second playoff start of his eight-year NFL career. He echoed a sentiment shared earlier this week by coach Mike Macdonald about not getting lost in the hype of the postseason.

«We're treating it [as] just another week, another game,» Darnold said. "… We've got such great guys