START · 2026-11-04

Drew Lock steps in as Seahawks starter

• Sam Darnold ruled out with quad injury.
• Drew Lock to start against the Cardinals.
• Lock is dealing with an elbow issue.

What happened

The worst-case scenario hit Seattle ahead of week 9 as quarterback Sam Darnold was ruled out by the coaching staff due to a quad injury keeping him week-to-week. Consequently, Drew Lock will step in to lead the offense against Arizona, despite managing an elbow issue of his own.

Fantasy impact

Sam Darnold's absence deals a heavy blow to Seattle's passing upside this week. Drew Lock under center introduces volatility, so you should look for safer alternatives on waivers if your league is competitive.

What changes for the team

Seattle's offense shifts gears drastically with a backup quarterback who must rely heavily on the ground game to avoid costly turnovers.

What to do: Bench secondary Seattle options and seek safer plays for your week 9 lineup.

Players: Drew Lock, Sam Darnold

Sources

• ESPN: «'The Pat McAfee Show' reacts to Darnold being ruled out vs. Arizona» · Read the original report

Our own write-up and analysis based on the cited report.