Seahawks QB Sam Darnold exits opener with hip injury
Sam Darnold will miss the next two weeks with a soft-tissue hip injury, but new reports confirm he avoided a fracture, allowing backup Drew Lock to take over as starter after leading Seattle to a 13-10 comeback win.
Yahoo Sports reports that initial imaging has officially ruled out a hip fracture for Sam Darnold, a development coach Mike Macdonald described as great news. While further testing is still required to establish a full prognosis, the team has confirmed the injury is limited to soft tissue, clearing one of their primary fears regarding the quarterback's long-term availability.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports reports that Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Sam Darnold's injury is a soft-tissue issue rather than a fracture, meaning the veteran is expected to miss at least the next two weeks while the team ramps up Drew Lock's preparation for the upcoming road game in Arizona.
Source: Yahoo SportsAccording to Yahoo Sports, Drew Lock revealed in his postgame interview that he had never actually run the critical play-action pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in practice, relying instead on his trust in the defense to create the necessary space for the game-tying touchdown.
Source: Yahoo SportsAccording to Yahoo Sports, head coach Mike Macdonald expressed regret for not handing the game ball to Drew Lock immediately after the win, teasing a personal gift for the backup quarterback when the team returns to the facility on Thursday.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports reports that coach Mike Macdonald remains uncertain about Sam Darnold's availability for Week 2 against the Cardinals, noting that further testing is required to determine the full extent of the hip injury. While a fracture has been ruled out, Seattle has not yet provided a specific timeline for the veteran's return.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports reports that while Sam Darnold is cleared of a fracture, he may sit out the upcoming Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The article notes that this potential absence could benefit the Cardinals, although Drew Lock’s strong performance suggests Seattle remains a dangerous opponent regardless.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports reports that Drew Lock credits his lifelong discipline for his seamless transition into the starting role, noting that his 16-of-22 performance was fueled by the confidence provided by Seattle's elite defense. Lock also emphasized the team's forward-looking mindset, stating that the focus is on defining the identity of the 2026 Seahawks rather than simply repeating their past success.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports reports that a CT scan has ruled out a fracture for Sam Darnold, offering a positive initial prognosis. An MRI is scheduled for Thursday to provide a full assessment of the hip issue that forced him to leave the opener against the Patriots.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports highlights that Lock rewarded the team's faith by connecting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a game-tying touchdown, with teammates praising his leadership and practice presence as they await further updates on Darnold's status.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports suggests that the Seahawks might consider re-signing retired quarterback Russell Wilson to provide a stronger option than Drew Lock, noting that Seattle has sufficient cap space and elite offensive weapons to support his return.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports highlights the scarcity of recent NFL quarterback hip injuries, noting that Sam Darnold’s situation mirrors the severe struggles Tua Tagovailoa faced during his time with the Dolphins and Alabama. The outlet suggests that while comparisons to Anthony Richardson and Mitchell Trubisky offer hope for a minor hip pointer, the severity of Tagovailoa’s history serves as a cautionary benchmark for Seattle’s recovery timeline.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports highlights defensive standouts Uchenna Nwosu and Julian Love, noting Nwosu's dominant physical performance before exiting with a suspected concussion, while Love recorded his second consecutive interception off Drake Maye. The report also praises cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Nehemiah Pritchett for silencing offseason doubts with a combined two picks, contrasting their success with the struggles of Derick Hall against Patriots tackle Will Campbell.
Source: Yahoo SportsAccording to Yahoo Sports, Drew Lock has publicly addressed his sudden start, emphasizing his consistent preparation for such moments and detailing his 187-yard performance that included a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown to Jaxson Smith-Njigba.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports confirms that Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald stated doctors do not believe Sam Darnold suffered a hip fracture, following an encouraging but inconclusive CT scan. The club is now scheduled to conduct an MRI on Thursday to finalize the diagnosis.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports reports that the NFL community is turning its attention to Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, with fans and analysts criticizing his 'brutally conservative' strategy for failing to capitalize on Seattle's quarterback change. The backlash includes accusations that the team's offense was overly reliant on running plays in early downs, leading some to label the performance a 'butcher job.'
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports reports that head coach Mike Macdonald has officially confirmed a hip fracture is ruled out, though further diagnostic testing is still required to determine the full extent of Sam Darnold's injury.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports reports that Jaxon Smith-Njigba has voiced full confidence in Drew Lock’s ability to step up, praising the backup’s performance in the decisive fourth-quarter drive that included a 45-yard touchdown. Smith-Njigba emphasized the team's unity, noting that while losing Darnold is difficult, the roster fully trusts Lock to handle the increased responsibilities.
Source: Yahoo SportsAccording to GN sports/nfl (en-US), sideline reporter Andrew Siciliano has ruled out a fracture for Sam Darnold, though an MRI scheduled for Thursday is still pending to determine the full extent of the hip injury. Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed the positive update at halftime, noting that Drew Lock has settled into the game and the team is executing their game plan.
Source: GN sports/nfl (en-US)Yahoo Sports reports that social media reaction to Darnold’s exit has turned dark, with several fans drawing parallels to Bo Jackson’s career-ending injury and joking that the Rams are already celebrating an easier path to the division title.
Source: Yahoo SportsAccording to GN sports/nfl (en-US), injury analyst Jeff Muller suggests the worst-case scenario for Darnold is a hip socket fracture similar to Tua Tagovailoa's, though a minor labral tear or sprain remains a possibility that could allow for a quicker return.
Source: GN sports/nfl (en-US)Sam Darnold has been officially ruled out with a hip injury, forcing backup Drew Lock to assume the starting quarterback role for the remainder of the Seahawks' opener.
Source: Yahoo Sports
