Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold avoided a hip fracture after exiting Wednesday night’s season-opening win over the New England Patriots. Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed initial tests were positive, though further medical evaluations, including a scheduled Thursday MRI, remain necessary to determine his timeline.
The Opening-Drive Hit That Shook Seattle
The defense of Seattle’s Super Bowl title hit an immediate turbulence on Wednesday night. Just moments into the season opener, quarterback Sam Darnold took a heavy hit from New England Patriots linebacker Dre’Mont Jones on third down, ending the Seahawks’ opening possession and knocking the signal-caller out of the game. As Jones drove him into the turf, Darnold’s right leg absorbed the brunt of the impact. He limped off the field, underwent a preliminary evaluation inside the sideline medical tent, and quickly retreated to the locker room.
The team initially listed Darnold as questionable before officially ruling him out before halftime. ESPN reported that Darnold was transported off-site to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle to undergo a CT scan on his injured hip. The sudden exit stunned a crowd watching a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl, in which the Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13.
Medical Updates and the Path to Clarity
Relief riounded through the franchise late Wednesday when head coach Mike Macdonald addressed reporters in his postgame press conference. While the full extent of the injury remains undefined, initial imaging delivered encouraging news for the defending champions.
“Let’s say it’s good news right now. I know our thoughts and prayers are with Sam — we love him. The guys really pulled through for him,” Macdonald said. “At this point, we were able to rule out a fracture. So, there’s some more tests to be done. But that’s what I’m saying when it’s positive, but I know — we’re still working through all that, but right now a fracture is out, which is great news.”
Mike Macdonald, Seahawks head coach
Macdonald added that further evaluations were underway, noting that the initial test was encouraging but inconclusive. According to NFL Network reporting, both X-rays and the CT scan pointed away from a major injury. Even so, the team scheduled an MRI to establish a complete diagnosis and clear up his availability for a Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
Drew Lock Steps In to Rescue the Opener
With Darnold sidelined, veteran backup Drew Lock inherited a 7-0 deficit and guided the team back. Lock completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, orchestrating 13 unanswered points to secure a 13-10 victory.
Trailing 10-3 in the fourth quarter, Lock connected with receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a fourth-and-1 play that turned into a 45-yard touchdown dash. Teammates acknowledged the emotional blow of losing their starting quarterback while expressing total confidence in the backup.
“It’s tough losing (Darnold). I mean, he’s the head of the snake, but we have each other’s backs,” Smith-Njigba said. “We fully trust in Drew Lock to come in and do his thing, done it time and time again. So we just have to have each other’s backs.”
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks receiver
Roster Stability and What Lies Ahead
Coming off a career resurgence in Minnesota, Darnold did not miss a game last season, throwing for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading Seattle to a franchise-record 14 regular-season wins.
If Darnold misses extended time, the front office could face decisions about the depth chart behind Lock, with second-year quarterback Jalen Milroe currently holding the emergency role. For now, the organization awaits Thursday’s MRI results to determine whether their offensive leader will be forced to watch from the sideline when Seattle faces Arizona.
