Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold exited the Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots on September 9 , 2026, due to a hip injury.. Backup Drew Lock took over the offense after Darnold was sacked on the opening drive of the game.
The Dre'Mont Jones sack that sidelined Sam Darnold
The injury occurred during a critical third-and-6 play deep in New England Patriots territory. According to a report from USA TODAY, New England linebacker and edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones took down Sam Darnold from beihnd, causing the quarterback to land hard on his right side and right leg.
While Sam Darnold was able to stand up immediately following the hit, he was observed limping and moving with visible difficulty as he exited the field. The Seattle Seahawks reported that Darnold first visited a blue medical tent for evaluation before returning to the locker room, leaving his status for the remainder of the Wednesday game listed as questionable.
Drew Lock's 10-18 career record and the Seattle transition
With Sam Darnold sidelined, the Seattle Seahawks turned to Drew Lock, a 29-year-old quarterback who has spent four of the last five seasons in Seattle. As USA TODAY reported, Lock enters this game with a career record of 10-18 across 28 staarts, having completed 59.6 percent of his career passes for 6,369 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions.
Lock's recent tenure in Seattle has been limited, appearing in nine games with only two starts. During those appearances, Drew Lock completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 558 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. His ability to maintain the offensive rhythm established by the Seattle Seahawks last season will be the primary focus for the coaching staff.
Jalen Milroe and the emergency third-string contingency
The Seattle Seahawks are carrying three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, with rookie Jalen Milroe serving as the emergency third-string option . Milroe, a former Alabama standout and a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has very limited professional experience, having recorded only three carries for four yards and zero pass attempts during his rookie campaign.
Under current game-day designations, Jalen Milroe can only enter the contest if both Sam Darnold and Drew Lock are ruled out for the remainder of the game. Otherwise, the rookie remains inactive, leaving the Seattle Seahawks' hopes pinned entirely on Lock's stability if Darnold cannot return.
A fragile start for the reigning Super Bowl champion
This injury is particularly jarring given that Sam Darnold led the Seattle Seahawks to their second Super Bowl title last season, defeating the New England Patriots in the championship game. The Week 1 rematch was intended to be a victory lap for the 29-year-old quarterback, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
The loss of a championship-caliber starter on the very first drive of the season mirrors the volatility often seen in high-stakes NFL openers. for the Seattle Seahawks, the challenge is now to avoid a psychological collapse after losing the catalyst of their title-winning season in such an abrupt fashion.
The halftime update and the status of Darnold's right hip
Significant questions remain regarding the severity of the injury to Sam Darnold's right hip . While the Seattle Seahawks have labeled him "questionable," the team has not provided a definitive timeline for his return, suggesting that an update may not be available until after the halftime break.
It remains unclear if the injury is a soft-tissue strain or something more structural, and the source reporting does not include comments from the Seattle Seahawks' medical staff or Sam Darnold himself. whether the quarterback can return to the field or if this marks the start of a multi-week absence remains the most pressing uncertainty for the franchise.
Comments 0