Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold leaves opener with hip injury
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was injured on a sack during the team's opening drive against the New England Patriots on Wednesday night. He limped to the locker room and was initially listed as questionable, but was later ruled out with a hip injury. Backup Drew Lock took over at quarterback for Seattle.
The injury occurred on Seattle's first offensive possession of the 2026 season, when Darnold was brought down by a sack that ended the drive and forced a punt. He showed immediate discomfort, was evaluated on the sideline, then moved to the blue medical tent before heading to the locker room.
The game carried added significance as the Seahawks were honoring their Super Bowl LX championship squad prior to facing the Patriots, the team they defeated in that title game. With Darnold ruled out, Drew Lock took over under center. Darnold's status was first listed as questionable before being upgraded to out.
This injury could reshape Seattle's early-season outlook, as the team may now rely on a backup quarterback during a critical stretch. Fans and the organization could face uncertainty about Darnold's recovery timeline, which may affect team morale and performance. For the broader NFL audience, the moment underscores how quickly a season can shift, and it may prompt wider conversation about quarterback durability and the depth behind starting signal-callers across the league.