Ian Rapoport: Week 4 ‘most likely target’ for Sam Darnold’s return

The ambiguity around Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold's injury, and timeline for a return, is starting to get a little more clear.

In an appearance on Good Morning Football on Thursday, NFL Network and ESPN's Ian Rapoport said on Darnold, We'll see about next week [versus the Washington Commanders], seems to be a bit of a longshot, but he at least has a bit of a chance. I would say Week 4 probably the most likely target for Darnold."

From @GMFB: Injury updates on #Bengals QB Joe Burrow, #Seahawks QB Sam Darnold, #Vikings QB Kyler Murray, and #49ers WR De'Zhaun Stribling. pic.twitter.com/7kciukA8Ec

- Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 17, 2026

Rapoport's update on the Seattle Seahawks' quarterback is the latest, but most definitive, update on Darnold's status since he left the regular-season opener. Within the past few days, there have been vague updates suggesting Week 3 was possible, then the team's refusal to put a firm timeline on his return, and then a suggestion he was more day-to-day as opposed to week-to-week.

Now, on the back of Rapoport's latest update, it appears the Seahawks and Darnold are aiming for Week 4. That timeline would see him sit out a two-game road trip, including this week's trip to the desert to take on the Cardinals and then a trip to Washington to face Dan Quinn's Commanders, before returning under center when the team returns home to host the Chargers.

In Darnold's place, backup Drew Lock will look to hold the position down after he went 16-of-22 for 187 yards and a touchdown in relief in Seattle's Week 1 win over the New England Patriots.