SAN FRANCISCO – Super Bowl LX is set, pitting the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots in a championship clash that will be closely watched not only for on-field performance but also for the health of key players. Both teams arrived in San Francisco this week with injury concerns surrounding their quarterbacks, though recent reports suggest both signal-callers are trending towards playing on .
Quarterback Concerns Alleviated?
The biggest storyline heading into Super Bowl week centered on the availability of Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Darnold has been managing an oblique injury throughout the postseason, while Maye has been dealing with a right shoulder issue. Both were limited participants in early practices, raising questions about their ability to perform at full capacity on the biggest stage.
However, updates from both teams have been encouraging. Maye was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, a positive sign after being listed as questionable. Darnold, while still listed as limited due to his oblique injury, has also shown improvement. Crucially, both quarterbacks were full participants in Friday’s practice reports, indicating they are good to go for game.
The Patriots’ head coach, Mike Macdonald, expressed optimism about his team’s overall health during a Saturday walk-through. According to a pool report, Macdonald said, “Guys are in good spirits. You can hear them. Finally. It’s taken a while to get here. But it’s here. It’s awesome.” This suggests a relaxed and confident atmosphere within the Patriots’ camp as they prepare for the Seahawks.
Beyond the Quarterbacks: Other Injury Updates
While the quarterback situation appears stable, both teams have other players dealing with injuries. For the Seahawks, several players were listed as limited in practice on Wednesday, including offensive tackle Charles Cross (foot), safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle), offensive tackle Josh Jones (ankle, knee), linebacker Demarcus Lawrence (rest), fullback Robbie Ouzts (neck), receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (rest), and defensive end Leonard Williams (rest). Emmanwori, who suffered an ankle injury in Wednesday’s practice, was held out of Thursday’s session but was a full participant on Friday and has no injury designation for .
The Patriots have a few injury concerns of their own. Linebacker Robert Spillane did not practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, but he expressed confidence in his ability to play, telling the Boston Herald he’s “100% confident” he’ll be able to participate. Linebacker Harold Landry (knee) and offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. Were both limited with knee injuries. Landry was limited again on Friday after missing Thursday’s practice.
One Patriots player will definitely be unavailable for the Super Bowl: running back Terrell Jennings. His 21-day window to return from injured reserve closed without his activation, meaning he will not play in Super Bowl LX.
Implications for Sunday’s Game
The health of both quarterbacks is paramount for their respective teams’ chances of success. A less-than-100% Darnold or Maye would significantly hinder their offenses and put more pressure on their supporting casts. The fact that both signal-callers appear to be trending in the right direction is a major boost for their teams.
The Seahawks’ perfect attendance at practice, despite several players being listed as limited, suggests a relatively healthy team overall. However, the limited participation of key players like Cross and Lawrence could be a concern if their injuries worsen.
For the Patriots, Spillane’s ankle injury is something to monitor, as he is a key contributor on defense. Landry’s limited participation also raises questions about his effectiveness. The Patriots will need their defense to be at its best to contain the Seahawks’ offense, and the health of their linebackers will be crucial.
Looking Ahead
As Super Bowl LX approaches, the focus will undoubtedly shift to game planning, and strategy. However, the health of key players will remain a critical factor. Both the Seahawks and the Patriots will be hoping that their injured players can continue to improve and that no new injuries arise in the days leading up to the game. The stakes are high, and every player will be needed to perform at their best if their team hopes to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
