Seahawks concern grows as Drew Lock returns for Raiders game amid elbow and oblique injuries

The Story

The Seattle Seahawks are entering a critical stretch of their season with questions centred on quarterback play, with veteran backup Drew Lock set to be in uniform for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

NFL analyst John Breech of CBS Sports said he expects the Seahawks’ quarterback situation to remain a problem, writing that “quarterback play has hampered their season” and that “it doesn’t look like things are going to get much better on that front.” Breech added that Sam Darnold “has struggled all year” and “he’s been banged up,” while Lock “has been serviceable” but does not “make you feel good about this offense.”

Breech also framed the Seahawks’ remaining schedule as a key challenge, pointing to Seattle’s two games against the Los Angeles Rams, who “are shaking off a slow start” and have “won three straight games.” Breech said that if one team sweeps the series, it would “pretty much eliminate” the other team from the playoff race, and if they split, both would still need to reach at least a 5–2 record in their other seven games to get to 10–7.

In the team’s immediate preparation, Lock’s status has been addressed despite his injuries. Tim Booth of the Seattle Times noted that Lock is playing through an elbow injury and an oblique strain, but has been cleared to play. Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury said the elbow has been improving over the past few weeks and that the oblique issue is “doesn’t seem to be much of a concern,” adding that Lock is taking “more reps this week than he was going into last week.”

Lock said the location of the oblique injury is somewhat better for his throwing motion, but he still needs to adjust mechanics. He described how he must “use a little bit of the backside,” explaining that “when you’re rotating and pulling through, it’s all this,” and that allowing the arm “to be back here” is “a little better” mechanically as his arm speed comes through.