I’m sitting here today, and I get to go be the starting quarterback this weekend for the Seattle Seahawks,
Drew Lock said Thursday. He steps into the huddle for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals after starter Sam Darnold was ruled out with a quad injury.
A familiar face under center
Lock, who turns 30 on Tuesday, prepares for his fourth start of the season. He previously spearheaded the team’s season opener following Darnold’s glute injury and guided the Seahawks to a Week 2 win against these same Cardinals.
Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that despite a lingering throwing elbow injury from a rainy practice, Lock is slated to take all available reps this week. Lock believes his internal preparation has sharpened since his last turn at the helm.
Drew Lock, in line to start Sunday despite his elbow injury, remained a limited participant today. He’s been listed as such on every injury report since Week 6. Nine DNPs today, including Leonard Williams, Charles Cross, Rashid Shaheed, Uchenna Nwosu and Quenton Nelson. pic.twitter.com/mFHOYVaZEC
I was prepared for this today. I was ready,
Lock said. I knew what I needed to do beforehand this morning to go upstairs and be really ready for practice with the limited time after this. I feel like I’ve got a better process now from the first time to this time.
Interior stability
The transition has drawn little concern from the trenches. Right guard Grey Zabel insists the offensive rhythm remains steady, regardless of the signal-caller.
Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald says QB Sam Darnold is out in Week 9 vs. Cardinals with a quad injury. pic.twitter.com/GShljIFgl4
It was very similar and a constant flow of things back there,
Zabel said. As offensive linemen, it’s truly great to have a guy that can slot in there, and you don’t notice a drop-off, or you don’t notice anything back there.
Searching for consistency
Seattle sits at 4-4, currently holding the eighth spot in the NFC playoff race. First-year offensive coordinator Brian Fleury faces mounting pressure as the team languishes at 26th in expected points added per play.
It’s been challenging, for sure,
Fleury said. But I didn’t take the job thinking it was going to be easy. I knew the expectations were high. I knew that there was a good roster.
With three losses in their last four outings, the team is looking for a spark. Lock views the current slump as a necessary test. It’s given us an opportunity to have a little adversity, fight through this, see what we’re made of, have a little chip on our shoulder, prove ourselves right,
Lock said. Go out, and be the team that we say we are and think we are.
#Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is going to be out Sunday vs. the #AZCardinals due to a quad injury, coach Mike Macdonald told reporters. pic.twitter.com/CmUuPSUgAM
The injury situation
Arizona arrives in Seattle nursing a battered roster. Wide receiver Michael Wilson was limited in practice after suffering broken ribs against the Dallas Cowboys. Running back Bam Knight sat out with a concussion, while starting guard Isaiah Adams remains hampered by an ankle injury.
Seattle faces its own health questions. Beyond Lock’s elbow, the Seahawks reported that Quenton Nelson did not practice Thursday due to a knee issue.
Drew Lock didn’t know the extent of the rib injury Sam Darnold suffered on the second play Monday night, but he said he could tell it was bothering him. How could he tell? A funny analogy from Lock and an answer that speaks to how well quarterbacks know one another: pic.twitter.com/cPh5Fi9pkI