Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Dillon Gabriel

Saturday, January 17, 10:53 AM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (oblique) has not thrown a football since he hurt his oblique at practice on Thursday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Seahawks think, but don't know, that he will be fine to start Saturday night's Divisional Round contest against the San Francisco 49ers. Backup Drew Lock took the reps the last two days in practice and is ready if needed. Head coach Mike Macdonald said the team is optimistic that Darnold will be ready to go this weekend, but there's also a sliver of doubt involved here. Rookie Jalen Milroe hasn't played since Week 5, so he'd be the QB2 behind Lock if Darnold is inactive. Darnold's oblique injury makes him much more risky for fantasy football playoff lineups in the Divisional Round, especially since he's yet to throw a touchdown in two games this year against the Niners.

Sunday, December 28, 11:49 AM

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel (shoulder) injured his left shoulder at some point during the week and has been ruled out for the Week 17 divisional clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. With Gabriel inactive, Bailey Zappe has been elevated to the 53-man active roster from the practice squad and will serve as rookie Shedeur Sanders' backup this weekend. The 25-year-old Gabriel ended up making six starts for Cleveland in his first year in the NFL in 2025, but he was largely mediocre while failing to push the ball downfield. Gabriel's reign as the team's starting QB ended in Week 11 when he suffered a concussion, opening the door for Sanders to take over. In his six starts, the Oregon product completed 58.9% of his passes for 918 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions while adding 86 rushing yards. Gabriel is expected to compete for the starting gig next year with Sanders and Deshaun Watson (Achilles).