The Seattle Seahawks won't have quarterback Sam Darnold in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders, as Darnold is dealing with a cracked rib and a quad issue. Drew Lock is set to start again, and he appears to be healthy enough.
Lock was dealing with elbow tendinitis for the last couple of weeks, but was able to play against the Arizona Cardinals. During the game, he suffered an oblique strain. The team was waiting until imaging on Monday to see how severe the issue is.
According to head coach Mike Macdonald on his day-after-game show on Seattle Sports 710 AM, the imaging came back good for Lock, and the injury is something the team can manage during the week. In other words, Lock should be able to play against Vegas.
Seattle Seahawks get good news about Drew Lock's oblique injury
This doesn't mean third-string quarterback Jalen Milroe won't get some reps in practice because the team has to have Milroe prepared in case Lock's oblique injury gets aggravated. Lock is an experienced quarterback and can be ready quicker than Milroe. Milroe won't get the main QB1 reps in practice, but he should see quite a few.
Plus, Lock will likely be rested a bit more so as not to make his new injury worse and not inflame the elbow tendinitis.
Whoever plays in Week 10 against an improved Raiders team, the same approach needs to stay in place. Lock hasn't turned the ball over in the three games he took the majority of snaps. That has helped lead the team to victories in all those games. Relying on an elite defense and a better run game with Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price should put Seattle in a position to win.
When Sam Darnold played, the team was less conservative on offense, and Darnold forced too many passes. That has led to him having nine interceptions, which is unacceptable for playing only six games. That is the exact kind of poor play that will steal victories from the Seahawks, and one reason Seattle has gone 2-4 when Darnold has gotten all of the snaps.
Drew Lock isn't a perfect quarterback, but the team is unbeaten when he has gotten most of the snaps. A lack of turnovers on his part is a big reason why. At least, he seems healthy enough to be able to start again in Week 10. Let's hope he continues to play the same way he has this season. Seattle has a bye week in Week 11, so everyone can get some rest.
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