Seahawks DB Nick Emmanwori questionable, Sam Darnold out but 'on his way back'

RENTON, Wash. -- Seattle Seahawks nickelback Nick Emmanwori is questionable for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, the team announced Friday. Safety Ty Okada, who sat out Seattle's season opener against the New England Patriots, has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Offensive lineman Anthony Bradford is also questionable for Sunday's game. He was limited in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday because of knee and hip injuries. Bradford did not practice on Friday.

Coach Mike Macdonald said that if Bradford does not play on Sunday, Christian Haynes will replace him in the starting lineup at right guard. Haynes, a third-round pick in 2024, appeared in 16 games as a rookie, but only eight in 2025.

Quarterback Sam Darnold was also officially ruled out with a glute injury, as expected. Backup Drew Lock will make his 29th career NFL start in place of Darnold, whose rehab process is progressing well, according to Macdonald.

"He's great, he's great. He's on his way back," Macdonald said of Darnold. "Is it next week, is it the week after, is it the week after that? I'm not sure. But, I'm optimistic, let's put it that way."

Okada was expected to start at safety alongside Julian Love this season. Macdonald said Wednesday that Okada had a chance to play against the Cardinals, but he did not practice this week. Okada has not practiced since the regular season got underway. 

Emmanwori, in his second season with the Seahawks, was a limited participant in practice throughout the week after missing Seattle's 13-10 win against the Patriots on Sept. 9. He had ankle surgery in July and is now also dealing with a hip injury, according to the team.

The Seahawks managed Emmanwori's and Okada's absences against New England, forcing Patriots quarterback Drake Maye into three fourth-quarter interceptions. But operating without Emmanwori compromises how Seattle, a team that often deploys five defensive backs, prefers to function. 

Last week, the Seahawks turned to linebacker Tyrice Knight, who received 14 snaps, to compensate for Emmanwori's absence. 

"He's done a great job," Macdonald said of Knight. "I think that's just one example of, obviously, you earn your right to get on the field." 

Without both Emmanwori and Okada last week, the Seahawks signed safety AJ Finley off their practice squad and elevated safety Rodney Thomas II from the practice squad. Thomas, who started 26 games over the last four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, helped pave the way for Seattle's first interception against New England. He broke up a pass intended for Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs, which was picked off by cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. Thomas played 70 of 71 possible defensive snaps.

"We saw Rodney play great football, and that's what it's going to take," Macdonald said. "And whoever's out there, it takes playing great football."

Aside from Finley and Thomas, Seattle has two more options at safety on its practice squad in D'Anthony Bell and Maxen Hook. Bell started two games for Seattle last season and appeared in 12 others. 

Hook has not yet appeared in an NFL game. He joined the Seahawks after signing with the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2026 draft, but was waived before the start of the regular season.

Seattle's defensive-back depth also includes rookie cornerback Avery Smith, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Chargers last month via trade. Smith did not receive a snap against the Patriots. 

Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs is also on the practice squad after signing with the Seahawks on Aug. 19. Diggs said he knows most of Seattle's playbook with plenty of confidence and is ready if the Seahawks need him. 

"It's been real good," Diggs said. "I've pretty much got it down, got it down pat. But, you always want to do things until you can't get 'em wrong."

Running back Zach Charbonnet, who was placed on the physically unable to perform list before the season, is inching closer to practicing, according to Macdonald. The team has not yet set a day for Charbonnet, who injured his knee in January, to return to practice. Charbonnet will miss at least the first four games of the regular season while he remains on the PUP list.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.