Sam Darnold hip injury forced the Seattle Seahawks quarterback out of the season opener against the New England Patriots on the team’s first offensive series. He was ruled out just before halftime, and officials said he was undergoing additional testing on his hip off-site.
Darnold was sacked on Seattle’s opening drive and appeared to land hard, with concern centered on how forcefully his knee struck the turf. He limped to the sideline and initially waved off medical staff, according to the game broadcast, but was later evaluated and taken to the locker room. His gait was visibly affected as he exited.
Sam Darnold hip injury sidelines starter, Drew Lock steps in
Drew Lock entered at quarterback for the Seahawks on their second possession. Jalen Milroe was designated as Seattle’s emergency third quarterback, which means he can only play if Lock is unable to continue.
Darnold, 29, is coming off a standout debut season in Seattle. He threw for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, delivering in big moments that included two pivotal wins over the Rams.
He passed for 346 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in the NFC Championship, then the defense led the way in the Super Bowl.
Darnold excelled in Klint Kubiak’s scheme, particularly on under-center play-action, where he posted a league-best 11.8 yards per attempt. With Kubiak now the Raiders head coach, new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury was expected to keep many of the same concepts this season.
An extended absence would be a significant setback for Seattle. The Seahawks have seen promising early flashes from running back Jadarian Price, but the room is thin on experience after Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III departed to the Chiefs in free agency and Zach Charbonnet continues to recover from a torn ACL.
Darnold’s efficiency also helped unlock an Offensive Player of the Year campaign from Jaxon Smith-Njigba last year. For a broader look at how individual stars shape a season, see how Aaron Judge returns to Yankees lineup after 99-day rib layoff impacted New York’s lineup.
Lock, a 2019 second-round pick by the Broncos, made 21 starts over his first three seasons before arriving in Seattle as part of the Russell Wilson trade. He lost the starting job to Geno Smith, who took every snap that season.
Lock later spent time with the Giants in 2024, appearing in eight games with five starts and posting six touchdowns and five interceptions. He returned to Seattle last year and attempted three passes.
Entering the night, he held a 10-18 record as a starter with a career completion rate under 60 percent, though he saw substantial preseason action and performed solidly. The Seahawks did not provide a timetable for Darnold’s return as they awaited results of the additional tests.
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