Sam Darnold is ready to play. Caleb Williams is not. And Puka Nacua’s status hangs in doubt.
That is the core of the NFL injury news that sent people searching for “sports” across the United States today. Yahoo Sports put out its Week 3 injury tracker on Monday, and the quarterback situation around the league is doing exactly what it did last week: forcing fans to check the latest update before they make their picks.
What Happened
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a glute injury during the opening game of the season. He missed Week 1, and the Seahawks won that game with Drew Lock throwing for 187 yards and a touchdown.
Last week, in Seattle’s win over the Arizona Cardinals, Lock followed up with 235 passing yards and three touchdowns. Head coach Mike Macdonald had said Darnold was “on a good track right now” to play in Week 3. On Friday, Macdonald went further: Darnold is “ready to go.”
The Seahawks face the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
Who Is Looking Up Sports Today
The search term “sports” is among the top rising searches in the United States on this date, according to Google Trends. The report from Yahoo Sports covers every team in the NFL, and it names every player whose availability is in question.
The list is long. It includes Darnold, Williams, Bagent, Nacua, Collins, Flowers, and Daniels, along with dozens of other players across the league.
Why This Broke Through Today
People reached for their phones today because the quarterback situation is unresolved. Williams was ruled out for Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and Bagent is questionable after practicing on Saturday but remaining in concussion protocol.
Williams left Week 2 with the hamstring injury and is considered week-to-week. Bagent could start, or Case Keenum could serve as his backup.
The uncertainty around Williams pushed the search term up. People want to know who starts, who plays, and who is out.
What Comes Next
The Week 3 games start on Sunday, and the injury report will tighten as the weekend begins. Los Angeles Rams fans wait on Nacua, who sat out Friday’s practice and is doubtful for Sunday night.
McVay said this week that Nacua was “not making great progress” with the hip/groin issue that kept him out of Week 2. The coach expects Nacua to be ready to return next week.
The rest of the league is scattered. Jayden Daniels of the Commanders avoided surgery on his injured elbow, with general manager Adam Peters saying an operation is “not on the table.” The Ravens’ Zay Flowers is questionable for their game in Brazil after missing Week 2 and remaining out of practice this week.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart underwent surgery on Friday to repair his meniscus, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. Dart also suffered damage to his MCL and PCL, which will be addressed if needed. His recovery is expected to take four to six months.
For anyone building a fantasy lineup, the message is simple: check again before you set. The reports change, and the players who were questionable yesterday might be out tomorrow.
Source material: “NFL injury tracker Week 3: Latest news, fantasy implications as Sam Darnold (glute) 'ready to go', Caleb Williams (hamstring) ruled out, Puka Nacua (hip) unlikely to play,” Yahoo Sports.
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