Darnold returns for Seahawks as both starting safeties sit against Commanders

Seattle will have Sam Darnold back under center against Washington on Sunday, but both of its starting safeties have been ruled out. In the Seahawks' Friday update, coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that Darnold will play after recovering from the glute injury he sustained in the season opener. He missed the Week 2 win over Arizona. The quarterback practiced fully Thursday and Friday and carries no game-status designation.

The change at quarterback restores Seattle's intended starter for its trip to Northwest Stadium. Drew Lock started in Darnold's place against the Cardinals, and the Seahawks enter Week 3 at 2-0. Darnold's return is more than a hopeful practice report: Macdonald said Friday he is ready to play. Seattle also cleared rookie running back Jadarian Price, who left the Arizona game with a chest injury but practiced fully Friday. His exact Sunday workload remains a coaching choice.

The defense's availability picture is less settled. Safety Julian Love injured his calf during the week and is out. Ty Okada, who has a hamstring injury, is out for a third straight game. Love had an interception in each of Seattle's first two games, according to the team, so the loss affects a productive early-season contributor as well as the starting lineup. Macdonald said AJ Finley and Rodney Thomas II will play at safety. Finley missed all of last season with a knee injury and would be making his first start if the team follows that plan. The final inactive list will clarify the other depth options.

Washington will also use a different quarterback. The Commanders' Friday update says Jayden Daniels is week-to-week after dislocating his elbow against Dallas and will not be placed on injured reserve for now. Marcus Mariota is set to start Sunday. The official game-status report rules Daniels out, along with guard Sam Cosmi, safety Nick Cross, linebacker Frankie Luvu and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo. A decision against injured reserve says only that Washington is keeping a nearer-term return possible; it does not establish a date.

Mariota completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown after replacing Daniels against Dallas, according to the Commanders. Seattle's replacement safeties therefore face a quarterback with recent game action, even as Washington adjusts its own protection and receiving personnel. This is a matchup with confirmed changes on both sides of the ball: Darnold returns, Daniels sits, and Seattle's safety pair changes. The precise tactical effects must be judged after the teams settle their Sunday lineups.