Seattle Seahawks starting safety Julian Love missed Thursday’s practice with a calf injury and is now a question mark for Sunday’s game at the Washington Commanders.
Love was not listed on Wednesday’s injury report. Team officials have not said when the calf problem developed or whether he will be available against Washington.
The absence comes at an already thin safety spot. Fellow starter Ty Okada sat out Thursday for a second straight day with a hamstring injury and has yet to play this season.
Love has been Seattle’s most productive safety through two games. He has two interceptions, tying four players for the NFL lead, plus nine tackles, three passes defensed and two tackles for loss.
In the Sept. 9 season opener, a 13-10 win over New England, Love finished with six tackles, including two for loss, and intercepted Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. He also delivered a hard hit on tight end Hunter Henry.
Last Sunday in a 31-7 win at Arizona, Love added three tackles and another interception, this time off Jacoby Brissett.
After the Patriots game, coach Mike Macdonald praised the veteran’s play and leadership.
“Julian played a dynamite game,” Macdonald said. The coach pointed to Love’s role in “making sure we’re in the right stuff and on the same page.”
Okada’s ongoing absence forced Rodney Thomas II into the starting lineup for the first two games. Seattle signed Thomas to the 53-man roster this week after using practice-squad elevations for those appearances.
Safety Nick Emmanwori, who is coming back from ankle surgery, was a full participant Thursday and Wednesday. He played only a handful of snaps against Arizona as the team eased him into action.
If Love cannot play, the Seahawks’ remaining healthy safeties on the 53-man roster include Thomas, Emmanwori and A.J. Finley.
The rest of Thursday’s report offered better news at quarterback. Sam Darnold, who missed Week 2 after suffering a glute injury on the first drive of the opener, practiced fully after being limited Wednesday.
Darnold told reporters before practice that he is “feeling good” and “really striving” to play Sunday.
Running back George Holani (knee), linebacker Ernest Jones IV (neck), wide receiver Cooper Kupp (back) and fullback Brady Russell (chest) also moved from limited to full participation.
Rookie running back Jadarian Price remained limited with a chest injury. Nose tackle Brandon Pili was limited with a concussion and a newly listed neck issue.
Friday’s practice and the final injury report will give the first official indication of Love’s chances of playing. For now the Seahawks are monitoring a new calf problem at a position where they already were waiting on a starter.
Love, 28, signed with Seattle in 2023 after four seasons with the New York Giants. He made the Pro Bowl that year and played all 17 games in 2023 and 2024 before a hamstring injury limited him to eight regular-season games in 2025.
