Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock said he knew immediately that his teammate Sam Darnold was injured during the team's recent loss to the Chicago Bears, despite Darnold not explicitly stating his condition.
Darnold is set to miss the Seahawks' game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a quad injury. He also sustained a cracked rib on the second play of the Bears game. Lock likened his ability to sense Darnold's injury to a long-term relationship.
"Are you married?" Lock asked a reporter who inquired how he knew Darnold was hurt. When the reporter said no, Lock followed up, "Did you have a girlfriend for a really long time?" After the reporter confirmed he had one at some point, Lock explained, "You know when she’s upset, she doesn’t have to say anything to you? I spent a lot of time with Sam, practice, watching every rep, games, watching very single rep. I just – I could tell."
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald praised Darnold's toughness, noting that the quarterback played through the rib injury for the remainder of the game. Macdonald indicated that Darnold likely could have continued playing despite the rib issue, but the quad injury is what necessitates his absence. Darnold, 29, is considered week-to-week and will not be placed on injured reserve.
This will be Lock's second start of the season. He also played most of the Week 1 game against the New England Patriots after Darnold's initial injury, leading Seattle to a victory. In his sole start against the Cardinals in Week 2, Lock completed 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns.
Lock has been managing a sore elbow but is expected to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Jalen Milroe will serve as the backup quarterback. The Seahawks, currently 4-4, aim to defeat the 3-5 Cardinals for the second time this season and improve their standing in the NFC West.