Seahawks Injuries: Quenton Nelson Needs Knee Procedure

The Seattle Seahawks face a major roster challenge as they prepare to host the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Sunday. Coach Mike Macdonald announced on Friday that six starting players will sit out the matchup. Among those ruled out are All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson and quarterback Sam Darnold.

Nelson arrived in Seattle one week ago via a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. The Seahawks acquired the 30-year-old veteran for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Macdonald stated that Nelson requires a minor procedure to clean out cartilage in his knee. The coach confirmed that Nelson will not be placed on injured reserve. Instead, he will be designated as week-to-week.

Nelson played every offensive snap during Seattle's Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears. He was seen wearing a sleeve on his right leg later in the week. The team listed him as a limited participant on Wednesday. He did not participate in practices for the two days prior to the announcement. Macdonald explained that the injury was aggravated since the trade. The coaching staff decided to address the issue now to play the long game.

With Nelson out, the Seahawks will move Grey Zabel back to left guard. Anthony Bradford will reinsert himself into the starting lineup at right guard. Zabel had been shifted to right guard when Nelson arrived, a position previously held by Bradford.

Sam Darnold, who is dealing with a quad injury, is also out for the game. The quarterback suffered a cracked rib on the second play of Monday's contest. He subsequently injured his quad near the end of that same game. Macdonald said Darnold will also be listed as week-to-week rather than placed on injured reserve.

Drew Lock will start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona. Lock has dealt with a right elbow injury that kept him inactive for the previous two games. He has been a limited participant on injury reports for the last two weeks. Macdonald noted that the team managed Lock's practice repetitions this week as a precautionary measure.

Lock started the first two games of the season after Darnold suffered a glute injury in the opener. He posted an 82.5 Total QBR during that span, which ranked sixth best in the league. Three of his four touchdown passes came during a 31-7 victory over the Cardinals in Week 2. The team also signed Adrian Martinez to the practice squad earlier this week as additional insurance.

Other starters ruled out include defensive tackle Leonard Williams, outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, left tackle Charles Cross, and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. Williams is dealing with a stinger, while Nwosu and Cross have ankle injuries. Shaheed is out with a knee issue. Josh Jones will start at left tackle in place of Cross. The Seahawks also ruled out backup defensive tackle Brandon Pili and listed backup outside linebacker Connor O'Toole as questionable.