Sam Darnold's Glute and Brock Bowers' Knee Are Healing Faster Than Expected

NFL injury timelines are entirely made up until the exact moment a guy jogs out of the tunnel.

According to Ian Rapoport, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is healing faster than anticipated from a glute injury, while Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers could return from his knee issue as early as next week.

"Ian Rapoport reported Darnold is improving quicker than anticipated and Bowers could return next week."

Let us pause to remember that Darnold just led Seattle to a Super Bowl last season, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. Going from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy to missing time with a very unique soft-tissue injury in your glute is the kind of humbling experience only football can provide.

The initial four-week timeline had anyone holding Seattle futures tickets sweating through their Sunday best. Now, it sounds like he might beat the clock and get back on the field sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, the Seahawks are riding the Drew Lock rollercoaster. Lock actually looked like a completely functional NFL quarterback in relief against the New England Patriots, completing 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards to drag Seattle to a 13-10 win.

Over in Las Vegas, the Raiders just bullied the Miami Dolphins 27-13 and are now teasing the return of Bowers. Getting a matchup nightmare back on the field this early in the season is a massive boost for an offense that already looks dangerous.

If you are staring at offensive totals or player props, these updates completely change the math. A faster return for Darnold means Seattle does not have to run a conservative, run-heavy offense for a full month, and Bowers gives the Raiders an immediate red-zone cheat code.

For now, Seattle just has to survive a Week 2 desert trip against the Arizona Cardinals with Lock under center. If the backup keeps the ship afloat and Darnold gets his glute right ahead of schedule, the Seahawks' title defense is going to be just fine.