NFL Quarterbacks Face Injuries Ahead of Super Bowl

Former Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who had a long 18-season career in the NFL, often pushed through injuries during games.

In the upcoming Super Bowl, both starting quarterbacks are dealing with injuries. Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold is reported to have an oblique injury, but he’s been active for the last two weeks. Meanwhile, New England Patriots’ Drake Maye has a right shoulder injury.

Hasselbeck described Darnold’s injury as manageable, suggesting that it isn’t overly painful. In his words, “It’s a little like a muscle that needs to fire quickly and doesn’t necessarily work.” He added that, from personal experience, such injuries tend to improve as the game progresses. Darnold has played competently through the injury, appearing somewhat cautious but still effective.

In his two playoff games, Darnold showed solid performance, completing 12 out of 17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown during their significant 41-6 defeat of the San Francisco 49ers. His standout moment came in the NFC Championship Game, where he delivered a career-best performance, throwing for 346 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling 31-27 win against the Los Angeles Rams.

On the other hand, Hasselbeck believes that Maye’s shoulder injury could pose more challenges. He explained that while Darnold’s injury might improve, Maye’s situation is tricky since he’s dealing with a delicate shoulder. “He has his fastball, so to speak,” Hasselbeck remarked, highlighting the intense physical demands of the NFL compared to baseball. “Part of your job is to be a thrower among people who are going to tackle you,” he noted.

Maye sustained his shoulder injury during the Patriots’ victory against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game when he was hit while scrambling. Although he soared in the regular season, his playoff performances have been less impressive. He finished the regular season completing 72% of his passes for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, along with 421 rushing yards. However, in the playoffs, he completed just 55.8% of his passes for 533 yards and four touchdowns, facing significant pressure and being sacked 15 times.

Despite these struggles, Maye showed creativity with his legs, especially in the AFC Championship, where he was a key player in their scoring efforts.

Heading into the Super Bowl, both teams will rely heavily on their quarterbacks. The Seahawks’ defense is notably strong, allowing only 17.1 points per game this season. Hasselbeck expressed hope that both QBs would be ready after benefiting from a week of rest and modern treatment options.

The championship game will see the Seahawks go head-to-head against the Patriots this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.