Darnold on Good Track for Sunday Return

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold said he is really striving to start Sunday at the Washington Commanders after a full practice Thursday, and coach Mike Macdonald said the glute recovery is on a good track with a final decision expected by the end of Friday, ESPN and Yahoo Sports reported. Darnold missed most of the first two games after leaving the season opener and spending a night at Harborview Medical Center.

That Friday decision window is the board. Soft fantasy note only: stash Darnold as a likely Week 3 start, but wait for the official designation before you lock lineups.

Darnold was limited Wednesday in his return to practice, then upgraded to full Thursday. He told reporters he felt really good aside from a little soreness and wants confidence in sliding and playing fast without thinking about the hip.

Seahawks fans watched Drew Lock keep the ship upright while Darnold healed. Lock threw for 187 yards and a touchdown in the opener win over New England, then 235 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-7 win over Arizona, ESPN noted. Soft fantasy note only: Lock's heater is real tape, but it does not erase Darnold if Macdonald clears him.

Sunday's stage is Northwest Stadium in Landover against an 0-2 Commanders team starting Marcus Mariota with Jayden Daniels sidelined. Soft fantasy note only: a road return against a short-handed Washington defense is the cleanest spot Darnold could ask for.

Macdonald said after the Cardinals game that Darnold's timetable had shifted quite drastically for the better. Darnold said every day has been progress since the CT scan calmed the worst hospital fears. Soft fantasy note only: progress quotes are not a snap count. Wait for Friday's call.

Seattle sits 2-0. Washington sits 0-2. Soft fantasy note only: start Darnold if he is named, and keep Lock as the only handcuff you need on a short week.

Darnold still has to clear the mental hurdle of trusting the hip on slides and sudden cuts, which is why Macdonald is waiting until Friday's full picture before naming a starter. Soft fantasy note only: if Friday is a no-go, Lock stays your Seattle QB without panic.

Seahawks board

Darnold: full Thu practice; striving for Sunday start. Macdonald: good track; decide by end of Friday.

Week 3: Seahawks at Commanders, Northwest Stadium, Landover. SEA 2-0, WAS 0-2.

Lock held the fort Weeks 1 and 2 with zero turnovers in the sample ESPN cited.

Fan closer

Trust the Friday decision window, start Darnold if he gets the nod, and leave the Lock debate for next week's injury report.