By Field Level Media
Sep 10 (Field Level Media) – Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold left early in Seattle’s season-opening game on Wednesday due to a right hip injury, and initial testing showed no fracture, according to coach Mike Macdonald.
The team received “great news,” per Macdonald, regarding Darnold’s condition following an X-ray and a CT scan that were conducted as the Seahawks were beating the visiting New England Patriots 13-10. An MRI will follow on Thursday, the coach said.
Darnold limped off the field after a sack on third down ended the opening drive of the game.
Patriots defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones pulled Darnold down as the QB was trying to escape the pocket on a coverage sack. Darnold, who led the team to a Super Bowl championship last season, was able to get to the sideline without assistance but hobbled toward the bench.
Darnold, 29, was ruled out before halftime following an examination in the locker room.
Drew Lock replaced Darnold to begin Seattle’s second series, which also ended with a punt.
The medical staff chatted with Darnold briefly before he entered the blue medical tent behind Seattle’s bench. When Darnold emerged from the tent, he donned a blue Seahawks baseball cap and left the sideline area with medical staff for additional testing.
Darnold completed one of his two pass attempts, a 13-yard connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Lock wound up guiding the Seahawks to a come-from-behind win, completing 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. As Darnold’s backup last year, Lock attempted just three passes all season, completing two for 15 yards.
Lock, 29, owns a career 10-18 record as a starter with the Denver Broncos (2019-21), Seattle (2023, 2025-26) and the New York Giants (2024).
(–Field Level Media)
