Seahawks' Sam Darnold Jokes About Injury Controversy, 'Stirred Some Questions, Which Was Funny'

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold laughed off his injury designation for Saturday's 41-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional round.

The team listed him as questionable because of an oblique injury, which was a late development in the week.

"I think that stirred some questions, which was funny," Darnold told reporters after the game.

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The two-time Pro Bowler didn't have to do too much heavy lifting against San Francisco. His 124 passing yards were his fewest of the season.

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp didn't see much of a difference in Darnold.

"He was consistent, he was the same Sam that he's always been, leading the huddle, being a steady leading force for us," Kupp said of his QB. "And he made some unbelievable throws—the one rolling out to the left that he threw to Jax in the end zone, those are unbelievable throws that he was making today."

The Seahawks were up before their offense ever stepped onto the field. Rashid Shaheed ran the opening kick back for a touchdown. From there, the defense took over.

Whether it meets the Los Angeles Rams or Chicago Bears in the NFC title game, the specific formula Seattle deployed against San Francisco will be tough to duplicate.

But a stingy defense and heavy dose of running back Kenneth Walker III is probably what coach Mike Macdonald envisions for the next round.

Even though he played, Darnold's oblique is likely to remain a topic of conversation. On the basis of Saturday, the Seahawks don't need him to be at 100 percent in order to roll over their NFC foes.