Seahawks Get Darnold Back but Lose Both Starting Safeties

Darnold's back, the safeties aren't

Sam Darnold is cleared to start for the Seahawks on Sunday, giving Seattle its quarterback back under center. But the news isn't all good for the defending Super Bowl champions: both starting safeties are out. Julian Love and Ty Okada have each been ruled out, leaving the secondary thin on the back end.

The survivor-pick angle

This is a mixed bag for anyone eyeing Seattle. Getting Darnold back stabilizes the offense, which is the reason to lean their way in the first place. The problem is the defense: losing both starting safeties creates a real vulnerability against the pass, and survivor picks live and die on games that stay comfortable, not shootouts. Two missing back-line defenders is exactly the kind of hidden risk that turns a "safe" pick into a sweat.

Unless the matchup and spread make Seattle a clear favorite, this is a spot where patience pays. If you're not confident, save the Seahawks for a week when their defense is whole and look for a cleaner option elsewhere — that's the discipline survivor pools reward. New to the format or building your bracket of picks for the season? Brush up on how survivor pools work before you lock anything in, and check the latest survivor analysis for the safer spots this week.