Seahawks Get Key Reinforcements Back for Raiders Road Test as Darnold Remains Sidelined

The Seattle Seahawks will receive a significant boost to their roster for Sunday’s road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, with multiple players returning from injury even as the team continues to navigate the absence of starting quarterback Sam Darnold. Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed the returns during Friday’s injury report, providing clarity on which players will suit up for the crucial divisional contest.

Outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and receiver Rashid Shaheed will both return to action after missing the past two games with ankle and knee injuries respectively. The Seahawks will also get nose tackle Brandon Pili back after he sat out last week’s game with a back injury. Additionally, defensive tackle Jarran Reed, who missed Wednesday and Thursday practices due to what Macdonald clarified was a good personal matter, practiced Friday and will play against Las Vegas.

Lock to Start Despite Dual Injuries

Quarterback Drew Lock will make his second consecutive start in place of Darnold, who remains sidelined with ribs and quadriceps injuries that have now kept him out of multiple games. Lock carries his own injury concerns into Sunday’s contest, having been limited in practice all week due to elbow and oblique issues. Despite the limitations, he carries no injury designation on the official report and will be under center when the Seahawks take the field.

Macdonald outlined a strategic approach to managing Lock’s practice workload this week, mirroring last week’s plan that helped get the veteran quarterback through the week and ready for game day. “Drew’s making good progress, so we have a plan, similar to last week and we’ll go from there,” Macdonald said prior to Wednesday’s practice. The team limited Lock’s throws and split reps with second-year quarterback Jalen Milroe to protect the elbow.

“He’s not going to take every rep, he’s not going to make every throw again, but that’s just trying to be as prudent as possible through the process to make sure he’s feeling his best on Sunday,” Macdonald explained. The measured approach proved effective in last week’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals, and the coaching staff sees no reason to deviate from the formula that delivered a win.

Key Offensive Linemen Remain Out

The Seahawks will continue to operate without four key players who also missed last week’s contest. Left tackle Charles Cross remains out with an ankle injury, though he managed limited practice participation on Thursday after missing Wednesday entirely. Macdonald expressed optimism about Cross’s timeline, indicating the veteran tackle should be able to return after Seattle‘s Week 11 bye.

Newly-acquired guard Quenton Nelson will miss Sunday’s game after undergoing a procedure on his knee Monday. However, Macdonald offered an encouraging update on the Pro Bowl lineman’s recovery. “He’s here, he’s back in the building,” Macdonald said. “He looks good, we were able to get to some things, treatment wise, that are of the chasing edges caliber, which is music to my ears. I know he’s going to be back sooner than later if it’s under his control, and we’ll take it week by week at this point.”

Defensive tackle Leonard Williams also remains on the injury report with a stinger and will not play against Las Vegas. The veteran defensive lineman’s absence forces Seattle to rely on depth pieces along the interior defensive line, though the return of Reed provides some relief in that area.

Raiders Injury Situation Relatively Stable

The Raiders enter Sunday’s game with a cleaner injury report than their NFC West opponents. Only two players carry questionable designations for Las Vegas. Defensive tackle Thomas Booker is dealing with an ankle injury but was a full participant in Friday’s practice, suggesting he will likely play. Receiver Dont’e Thornton did not practice Friday due to a back injury and faces a more uncertain status for Sunday.

The relatively healthy state of the Raiders roster presents an additional challenge for a Seahawks squad already dealing with significant personnel losses. Seattle will need its returning players to quickly regain form and contribute immediately if the team hopes to maintain momentum from last week’s victory.

Seahawks Eye Important Bye Week

The timing of Seattle‘s upcoming bye week looms large in the team’s injury management strategy. Macdonald referenced the break multiple times when discussing player timelines, particularly regarding Cross’s potential return. The extra week of recovery could prove crucial for several banged-up players, including Darnold, whose return would significantly alter the team’s offensive capabilities.

Tight end AJ Barner, who appeared on Wednesday’s injury report with a finger injury as a full participant, was removed from the report entirely by Thursday. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who received a rest day Wednesday, returned to full participation Thursday and will play Sunday. These minor adjustments demonstrate the team’s attention to managing workloads during a demanding stretch of the season.

Sunday’s contest carries added importance as both teams navigate the competitive landscape of their respective divisions. The Seahawks must find ways to overcome their depleted offensive line and quarterback uncertainty, while the returning defensive players need to quickly mesh with teammates who filled in during their absences. The outcome may hinge on which team better adapts to its personnel limitations and executes its game plan despite the obstacles.