As San Francisco took over possession and simply kneeled out the clock to secure a crucial NFC West win and become one of two teams to improve to 5-0 on the season, fans across social media erupted. However, Kupp shut down the buzz with a blunt comment.

“I knew it was close, but clearly it was short,” Kupp admitted after the 32-29 loss at home, per Seahawks.com. “There’s not enough there, I’ve got to find a way to get that fourth down.”

Coach Macdonald accepts referee’s call

Kupp wasn’t the only member of the Seahawks to speak out about the controversial decision, as head coach Mike Macdonald didn’t mince words and also agreed with the referee’s call.

As tough a pill as it is to swallow, the Seahawks are choosing to move on. It’s a long season, and they aren’t dwelling on the disheartening, last-minute defeat filled with controversy against their despised divisional foes, the Niners.

“[The match officials] said he was short, so we’ve got to live with it,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald stated, via the team’s official website.

Seattle and San Francisco will meet again

This won’t be their last meeting, as the Seahawks and Niners will play again on Nov. 29 at Levi’s Stadium. Judging by the way both franchises are playing, they may be in for a third duel in the postseason, as well.

Key takeaways

• The Seattle Seahawks lost 32-29 to the San Francisco 49ers after a short ruling.
• Cooper Kupp admitted he was clearly short of gaining the fourth-down line.
• The Seahawks and 49ers will play again on Nov. 29 at Levi’s Stadium.

According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Mike Evans is off the injury report and will play vs Seahawks. Mike Evans’ career as a 49er has started great. He has 17 catches in 24 targets for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

Having Mike Evans on the field is absolutely key for the 49ers as the Seahawks are one of the best defenses in the NFL. Hence, it’s important to have a weapon like Evans to have a chance at winning against them.

Evans is bulletproof

Mike Evans is a veteran, but the 33-year-old is just a tough player. He has played in too many games with injuries. In fact, Evans’ list of injuries is really lengthy, yet he has missed more than four games in a season just once in his career.

Even if he plays all banged up, Evans is always a threat, and also a red zone menace. He stands at 6’5″ and 231 lbs, so he is a mismatch. Also, he has a trademark fade route that is a recipe for touchdowns.

The Seahawks are a threat to the 49ers’ unbeaten record

Only three teams remain undefeated this season: the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and the Minnesota Vikings. The Seahawks are 3-1 and are at home, and the defense is as elite as you can find in the NFL.

Hence, the Seahawks are absolutely and positively the biggest threat to the 49ers perfect record. Also, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has a 4-1 record against Kyle Shanahan.

Entering Week 4 of the NFL at Lumen Field, the Chargers need all hands on deck to pull off an improbable win over the Seahawks. Thus, the fact that McConkey (foot) was listed as questionable was far from ideal. However, reports pointed in the right direction, and Justin Herbert will have his favorite weapon available in the Emerald City.

“Ladd McConkey is likely to play today after battling a foot injury all week,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network initially reported on his X account. “Chargers WR Ladd McConkey is active,” Adam Schefter has now confirmed.

McConkey’s stats in 2026

So far in the 2026 NFL season, McConkey has played in all three games for Los Angeles, and he will make it four in a row in Week 4. He’s been Herbert’s number-one weapon and the leading receiver for the Bolts, though it hasn’t amounted to much as the Chargers started the season 0-3 for the first time since 2017.

McConkey tallies 12 receptions (15 targets) for 183 yards and a touchdown. If he couldn’t play against the Seahawks, the die may have been cast for the Chargers, who were already staring at a steep climb in the Emerald City—and still are even with McConkey active.

McConkey will suit up for the Bolts against the Hawks, and his fantasy football projections show just that. According to ESPN’s app, the wide receiver out of Georgia is projected to put up 11.75 points (PPR) against Seattle. So far, he’s had 19.2, 6.5, and 10.6 points in the first three weeks, respectively.

Players who could be in for bigger roles

Tre’ Harris proved to be the next-best option for the Bolts when McConkey isn’t available, and he may remain that way against the Seahawks’ elite defense. In fact, Harris has had more targets than McConkey in 2026 (17), but he’s made less out of them, catching 10 for 149 yards.

Pass-catchers like Oronde Gadsen and Quentin Johnson are two options offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel would like to get more involved, but they are off to slow starts in 2026.

Key takeaways

• Ladd McConkey is active for Chargers vs Seahawks in Week 4.
• Ian Rapoport reported Ladd McConkey was likely to play despite a foot injury.
• Totaled 12 receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown through three games.

Price initially suffered the injury during Seattle’s Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals but was able to return and play against Washington in Week 3. However, he aggravated the issue during Wednesday’s practice and subsequently missed Thursday and Friday, leading the Seahawks to make the decision to place him on injured reserve.

The move means Price will miss at least four games, creating a significant problem for Seattle’s backfield. The Seahawks are already without Zach Charbonnet, who has returned to practice but remains ineligible to play this week while recovering from a torn ACL.

Who is Seattle Seahawks’ starting RB?

With both Price and Charbonnet unavailable against the Chargers, Seattle will have to rely heavily on Emanuel Wilson and George Holani. The two running backs are now in position to handle the majority of the workload in a backfield that has suddenly lost its top options.

Wilson is expected to receive the biggest share of the carries after already playing an important role in Seattle’s offense this season. Holani should also see an increased workload, although he has been dealing with a rib injury and was limited throughout the week before being cleared without a game designation.

The situation leaves Seattle without its preferred combination of Price and Charbonnet. Price had been expected to play a significant role as the team’s first-round pick, while Charbonnet remains on the physically unable to perform list and cannot return until Week 5 at the earliest.

The timing is particularly difficult because the Seahawks are coming off their first loss of the season and now face a Chargers defense that will test an inexperienced running back rotation. Seattle will need Wilson and Holani to provide enough production to keep the ground game functional and prevent the offense from becoming too dependent on the passing game.

For now, the Seahawks’ backfield belongs to Wilson and Holani. With Price heading to injured reserve and Charbonnet still unavailable, Seattle will have to find a way to navigate a difficult stretch at running back until reinforcements become available.

Key takeaways

• Jadarian Price is being placed on injured reserve after aggravating a chest injury.
• The roster move requires the rookie running back to miss at least four games.
• Zach Charbonnet remains sidelined while recovering from a torn ACL.

Daniels suffered the injury on the final play of the first half against Dallas. The incident immediately raised concerns about the severity of the damage, as the quarterback’s arm appeared to bend awkwardly before he was taken to the locker room. Initial fears suggested that Daniels could potentially miss the remainder of the season.

However, Washington has received encouraging news regarding its starting quarterback. After additional imaging and consultations with specialists, Daniels was not placed on injured reserve, leaving open the possibility of a quicker return. For now, the Commanders will have to rely on Marcus Mariota while their young quarterback continues his recovery.

When will Jayden Daniels return?

The positive news for Washington is that Jayden Daniels will not be placed on injured reserve and is now considered week-to-week. That means the quarterback will not automatically be required to miss at least four games, giving the Commanders hope that he could return sooner than initially expected.

The decision not to place Daniels on injured reserve came after doctors evaluated his elbow injury and consulted multiple specialists. Although there is no confirmed return date, both Daniels and the Commanders are reportedly aiming for him to return as soon as possible. His recovery will ultimately determine when he can resume playing.

For now, Daniels will miss the game against Seattle as Washington continues to monitor his progress. The injury initially appeared to be a potential season-ending setback, but the latest update has significantly improved the outlook for the Commanders. If his recovery progresses as hoped, Washington could have its starting quarterback back before the team initially feared.

Who is Commanders starting QB vs Seahawks?

Marcus Mariota will be the starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders against the Seattle Seahawks. In Dallas, the veteran took over in the second half throwing for 111 yards and one touchdown.

Key takeaways

• Jayden Daniels is out against Seahawks due to dislocated left elbow suffered against Cowboys.
• Commanders quarterback will avoid injured reserve and is currently evaluated as week-to-week.
• Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback for Washington in Daniels’ absence.

The Commanders’ depth chart took a hit following Daniels’ injury, which appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario. For this game, the primary backup behind Mariota will be rookie Athan Kaliakmanis.

Things appear to be much clearer for the Seahawks, especially with Darnold’s return. The primary alternative at the position is Drew Lock, who played a significant role in Weeks 1 and 2, while Jalen Milroe sits further down the QB room.

Daniels’ status is week-to-week

It was a scary moment for Washington during their Week 2 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys when Jayden Daniels went down with a dislocated left elbow right before halftime while trying to brace his fall. Fans were bracing for the worst—especially given his past elbow troubles—but the latest medical evaluations brought some relief, ruling out IR for now.

He is currently considered week-to-week, and while surgery isn’t immediately on the table as he attempts a quick return, medical experts suggest a potential procedure at the end of the season might still be needed to fix ligament joint laxity once and for all.

Darnold’s highly anticipated return

The Seahawks held their breath in the season opener against the New England Patriots when Sam Darnold went down after taking a heavy sack on the very first drive. What was initially feared to be a serious hip or leg issue turned out to be a weird soft-tissue glute injury, which kept him sidelined for Week 2 against Arizona.

Fortunately for Seattle, Drew Lock stepped in and kept the offense humming, leading his team to a 2-0 record and keeping them among the top contenders in the NFC.

Key takeaways

• Marcus Mariota will start for Washington, while Sam Darnold returns as Seattle’s primary quarterback.
• Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis will serve as the Commanders’ primary backup quarterback behind Mariota.
• Jayden Daniels is considered week-to-week after suffering a dislocated left elbow against Dallas.

“Right now the plan is for him to be out there in some capacity, and we’ll go from there,” Macdonald said, via the team’s website. “How much? We’ll see from here to Wednesday what that number is, but right now that’s the goal.”

Fortunately for the coach, Drew Lock stepped up and performed very well. The Seahawks opened the season 2-0, and their pursuit of back-to-back titles is looking stronger than ever.

A bitter debut for Darnold

Sam Darnold‘s season opener with the Seahawks ended almost as soon as it started. Just five snaps into Seattle’s opening drive against the Patriots, he took a heavy hit on a third-down sack by Dre’Mont Jones and ended up with a right hip/glute injury as his leg took the brunt of the turf impact.

He limped straight off the field, headed into the blue tent, and was ultimately ruled out for the rest of the night after completing just 1 of 2 passes for 13 yards. Drew Lock had to step in and steady the ship to secure a tight win, but seeing the QB1 forced to the locker room on drive number one definitely sent a quick shockwave through the Seattle faithful.

Lock rises to the occasion

Drew Lock has been remarkably solid guiding the Seahawks to a 2-0 start. Over his first two appearances, he’s completed 35 of 48 passes (a sharp 72.9% completion rate) for 422 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, posting a stellar passer rating.

After game-managing a tight 13-10 win over New England with 187 yards and 1 TD, he popped off in Week 2 against Arizona Cardinals, slinging 235 yards and 3 scores in a 31-7 blowout. He hasn’t turned the ball over once, keeping Seattle’s offense steady and moving while QB1 recovers.

What’s next for Seattle?

The Seahawks hit the road on Sunday, September 27 to take on the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. After that east-coast trip, they head right back to Seattle for a two-game home stand, first hosting the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, October 4 at Lumen Field, followed by a massive divisional clash against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, October 11, also at Lumen Field.

Key takeaways

• Sam Darnold will return to practice in some capacity on Wednesday.
• The quarterback suffered a right hip/glute injury on his fifth snap against New England.
• Replacement passer Drew Lock recorded 422 passing yards and four touchdowns across two victories.

Darnold was injured just five snaps into the season opener when he was taken down on a sack and immediately showed discomfort. He initially went to the sideline for evaluation before leaving the game, with Drew Lock taking over at quarterback and helping Seattle secure the victory.

The Seahawks later clarified that Darnold’s hip joint was unaffected and described the injury as a “very unique soft-tissue injury” involving his glute. The team does not consider the injury long-term, but Darnold has not recovered quickly enough to return against Arizona.

Is Sam Darnold playing today for Seahawks against Cardinals?

No, Sam Darnold is not playing today against the Cardinals. Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that Darnold would miss Week 2, but the good news for Seattle is that the team does not anticipate placing its starting quarterback on injured reserve.

That means the Seahawks can continue monitoring Darnold’s recovery without committing to a lengthy absence. Macdonald said Darnold is progressing well and expressed optimism about his return, although he did not provide a specific timetable.

Drew Lock will start in Darnold’s place after stepping in during the season opener. Jeremy Fowler previously reported that Darnold could possibly miss Week 3 as well, while more recent reports have pointed to Week 4 as a more likely return target. Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers is also a potential target if Seattle takes a more cautious approach, but there is no official return date yet.

When asked about Darnold, Macdonald said “He’s on his way back. Is it next week? Is it the week after, the week after that? I’m not sure. I’m optimistic, put it that way.” Hence, no return date has been established yet, but all things point to a great evolution by Darnold.

In the meantime, the Seahawks will have to face divisional rivals Cardinals without their Super Bowl-winning signal-caller. They already beat the Patriots without Darnold, but that doesn’t make it easy.

How did Drew Lock play vs Patriots?

With Drew Lock basically a sure starter in Week 2, the fact is that he wasn’t stellar in Week 1, but he was effective enough. At the end of the game, the Seahawks won and the Patriots fell to 0-1.

Lock completed 16/22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. However, his main mission was not to turn the ball over, and he accomplished that. As long as Lock doesn’t give away the ball, the Seahawks defense can manage to win football games.

The Cardinals are off an emotional win

No one saw the Cardinals winning away at the Chargers in Week 1, but they looked composed and ready to go. They pulled off the upset of the week and now are in a crash-down spot.

Usually, teams off an emotional, unlikely win tend to crash down during the next game. Hence, the Cardinals need to battle that moment as they face the Seahawks, who had a long week to prepare for this game.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Darnold is expected to miss next week’s game vs. Cardinals, and could maybe miss the Week 3 game vs Commanders. However, that is still a positive outlook for both Seahawks and quarterback.

Darnold was feared to suffer an injury that could put him on the injury reserve list (IR). Having said that, missing just one-to-two games could put Darnold back on the field in relative quick time.

Sam Darnold’s injury was very unfortunate

Sam Darnold is a story of resiliency. From being a third overall pick to being labeled as a disappointment, only to revive his career in great fashion and ending up winning a Super Bowl with Seattle.

After all that, one could say this Week 1 as a Super Bowl champ was a game Darnold was very excited to play. In just five plays, he was injured. It’s just another roadblock in the career of a player who has never given up.

The Seahawks avoided a dreaded case of needing a QB

What an NFL contender never wants is to see its starting quarterback go down. If the injury is serious, their Super Bowl case goes down the drain. However, by avoiding the worst-case scenario, the Seahawks have to stay afloat for a couple of games and resume their title defense.

If Darnold had a multi-week or a season-ending injury, the Seahawks would’ve definitely needed to trade or seek for a new signal-caller in free agency if a deep playoff run was still on their mind. While Drew Lock managed to win the game, the fact is he is not an elite QB that can carry a franchise.

Brown suffered an ankle injury in a catch attempt against Seattle cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. Without Brown, the Patriots must look at the rest of their wide receiver room for help against an elite defense. “Brown has now been ruled out for the remainder of tonight’s game.,” the Patriots announced.

With Brown sidelined, the Patriots will be turning to DeMario Douglas, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams. Those are all their active options to finish Week 1’s visit to the Seahawks. New England is already missing TreVeyon Henderson for Week 1, so Brown’s setback adds another dramatic layer to an already injury-riddled offense.

A.J. Brown’s numbers in Patriots debut

Needless to say, Brown didn’t have the debut he expected with the Patriots. Until he left the game with an ankle injury, Brown caught only three passes (out of four targets) for 26 yards.

Still, because the Super Bowl LX rematch between the Seahawks and Patriots was quite uneventful, Brown led his team in receiving yards while he was on the gridiron at Lumen Field. His production was nothing to write home about, though. In fact, it raised eyebrows.

For the second straight season, even on a completely different team and in a different system, Brown was practically MIA. Last year, Brown caught only one pass for eight yards in Week 1. These slow starts to the year may be becoming a common theme, and a worrisome one at that.

Brown’s contract

Brown carries a $7.04 million cap hit in the 2026 NFL season. His contract, which runs through 2030, will see its cap hit steadily rise to $10.9 million in 2027, $17.8 million in 2028, $23.6 million in 2029 and $53.5 million in 2030.

Because Brown signed the deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s expected that he and the Patriots will sit down at some point and negotiate a contract restructure. If Brown’s injury turns out to be serious, it could change everything, though.