Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is officially set to start Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the backdrop of a lingering oblique injury, per Adam Schefter. While Darnold will lead the offense in the high-stakes matchup, his preparation was modified throughout the week to manage the physical strain of the injury.
According to the report, Darnold and backup quarterback Drew Lock split repetitions during practice sessions over the last week. This rotation was implemented due to Darnold’s oblique issue, which has persisted late into the postseason. The division of labor allowed the Seahawks to maintain Darnold’s health for game day while ensuring Lock received significant snaps with the first-team offense in a backup capacity.
The Seahawks enter the NFC Championship Game seeking a victory to secure a spot in the Super Bowl. Darnold has served as the primary signal-caller during the team's playoff run, while Lock has provided veteran depth throughout the season. The decision to start Darnold follows a week of monitoring his progress during the team's final preparations for the conference title game.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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