The Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl title defense opened with an inauspicious scare on Wednesday night, when starting quarterback Sam Darnold exited the 2026 NFL season opener against the New England Patriots with a hip injury — only for head coach Mike Macdonald to deliver a dose of relief a few hours later. Darnold was ruled out before halftime of Seattle's 13-10 comeback win at Lumen Field, but initial testing ruled out a hip fracture, and the veteran now heads into further evaluation with the Seahawks enjoying an 11-day break before their next game.
The injury interrupted a celebratory banner night in Seattle, where the defending champions opened their season in a rematch of the Super Bowl they won a year ago. Here's what happened, what we know about Darnold's status, and what comes next for the quarterback and his team.
What Happened to Sam Darnold on the Seahawks' First Drive
Sam Darnold's night lasted just one drive. On the Seahawks' opening possession, Patriots defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones chased down the quarterback and brought him down for a sack on third-and-6, landing on Darnold's right leg in the process. Darnold limped off the field and initially tried to wave away the medical staff, but he was taken into the blue medical tent before heading to the locker room for further evaluation with what was described as a prominent limp.
The Seahawks initially listed Darnold as questionable to return with a hip injury, then ruled him out before halftime. For a quarterback who had been remarkably durable over the previous two seasons — starting 34 combined games for the Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings — the sudden exit was a jarring sight for a franchise that never had to confront this scenario during its magical 2025 championship run.
The timing made the moment especially tense. Lumen Field was hosting the NFL's season-opening kickoff in a nationally televised Super Bowl rematch, and Seattle had raised its championship banner only minutes earlier. Losing the quarterback who led that title run on the very first possession turned a night of celebration into one of immediate anxiety.
Mike Macdonald Delivers 'Good News' on Darnold's Hip
After the game, Macdonald gave Seahawks fans reason for cautious optimism. Speaking to reporters in his postgame press conference, the head coach said the team's medical staff had ruled out a hip fracture — the most feared outcome for a lower-body injury at the quarterback position.
"Let's say it's good news," Macdonald told reporters, while making clear that Darnold would undergo an MRI and additional tests to determine the full extent of the injury. The Seahawks' official update the next day framed the results as "great news," even as the club continued to evaluate whether the injury is a muscle strain, a hip pointer, or something that could linger into the early weeks of the season.
The encouraging early read matters for more than just Week 1. Darnold has been the face of Seattle's offense since the start of the 2025 season, and his play across last year cemented him as the unquestioned starter entering 2026. A fracture would have threatened that status for months; a soft-tissue injury, by contrast, is a far more manageable setback for a team with championship ambitions.
Drew Lock Takes Over and Leads Seattle's Comeback
With Darnold sidelined, veteran backup Drew Lock stepped in and stabilized an offense that had fallen into a 10-0 hole. Lock guided Seattle back into the game, and the Seahawks' defense took over in the second half to secure a 13-10 victory over a Patriots team that struggled to hold onto the football.
Macdonald praised Lock's performance after the win, saying the backup "did a phenomenal job" leading the offense in relief. Lock's experience mattered in the moment: he is in his second stint with Seattle, having first joined the team as part of the Russell Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos. He started two games for the Seahawks in 2023 before a stop with the New York Giants, then returned to Seattle last year and appeared in five games as Darnold's backup.
The comeback win also underscored the value of Seattle's defense. The unit dominated after halftime, and the Patriots compounded their own problems — quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions in what he later called an "unacceptable" debut under new head coach Mike Vrabel, while receiver A.J. Brown exited with an ankle injury. For Seattle, the victory was a reminder that the roster is built to absorb adversity at one position, even the most important one.
Seattle's Quarterback Depth Chart Behind Darnold
The injury also shined a light on why Seattle invested in proven depth at quarterback. Darnold has been the starter since the beginning of the 2025 season, while Lock returned last year as the clear No. 2. Third on the depth chart is Jalen Milroe, the former Alabama quarterback Seattle selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, who worked primarily as a wildcat quarterback during his rookie season.
For a team that watched its starter go down on the first drive, the presence of a veteran backup like Lock is precisely the insurance policy a contender wants. Rather than thrusting a developmental passer into a Super Bowl rematch, Seattle was able to hand the ball to a quarterback who has started NFL games and already knows the offense.
What's Next for Sam Darnold and the Seahawks
The Seahawks have 11 days between games, which gives Darnold time to complete his MRI and begin his recovery before Week 2. Given that it is early September and the team just opened a long season, Seattle is expected to take a cautious approach with its franchise quarterback rather than rush him back.
For now, the most important takeaway is that Darnold avoided a fracture. The MRI will clarify whether the injury is a muscle strain, a hip pointer, or something that could linger — but Macdonald's tone after the game suggested the Seahawks believe their quarterback dodged the worst-case scenario. As the defending champions turn the page to the rest of the season, all eyes in Seattle will be on Darnold's next test results.
Key Takeaways
- Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury on the Seahawks' first drive of the 2026 season opener against the Patriots.
- Patriots defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones landed on Darnold's right leg during a third-down sack.
- Darnold was ruled out before halftime, and Drew Lock took over at quarterback.
- Head coach Mike Macdonald said a hip fracture has been ruled out, calling it "good news."
- Seattle rallied from a 10-0 deficit to beat New England 13-10.
- Darnold will undergo an MRI as the Seahawks enjoy 11 days off before their next game.
