Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a right hip injury during the team’s 2026 NFL season opener against the New England Patriots, forcing him to leave the game early.
Darnold was injured during Seattle’s first offensive possession on Wednesday, September 9, after being sacked while attempting to escape the pocket.
So, what happened to Sam Darnold?
Darnold injured his right hip after taking a sack against the Patriots. Initial X-rays and a CT scan showed no fracture, but he is undergoing an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.
What Happened to Sam Darnold Against the Patriots?
Darnold’s night ended almost as quickly as it began.
During the Seahawks’ opening offensive drive, Darnold was sacked by Patriots defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones while attempting to move away from pressure.
Darnold was able to get back to his feet but appeared to be limping following the play.
The Seahawks quarterback initially entered the medical tent for evaluation before eventually heading to the locker room.
Seattle later ruled Darnold out for the remainder of the game with a right hip injury.
What Is Sam Darnold’s Injury?
Darnold is dealing with an injury to his right hip.
The encouraging development for Seattle is that initial medical testing did not reveal a fracture.
Darnold underwent X-rays and a CT scan, with both showing no hip fracture.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald described the absence of a fracture as “great news.”
However, additional testing is necessary before Seattle knows exactly how much time Darnold could miss.
Is Sam Darnold Getting an MRI?
Yes. Darnold is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday, September 10, to determine the nature and severity of his hip injury.
An MRI can provide the Seahawks with a more detailed look at potential soft-tissue damage that may not appear on an X-ray.
Until those results are available, Darnold’s timetable for returning to the field remains uncertain.
Will Sam Darnold Miss Games?
It is currently too early to know whether Darnold will miss any regular-season games.
The fact that testing showed no fracture is encouraging, but the MRI will provide more information about the severity of the injury.
Seattle’s next steps will likely depend heavily on those results and how Darnold responds to treatment in the coming days.
His practice participation will also be worth monitoring as the Seahawks prepare for their next matchup.
Who Replaced Sam Darnold?
Drew Lock replaced Darnold at quarterback after the Seahawks starter left the game.
Lock completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown, helping Seattle overcome the early loss of its starting quarterback.
The Seahawks ultimately defeated the Patriots 13-10 to begin the 2026 regular season with a victory.
If Darnold is unable to play in Seattle’s next game, Lock would be the leading candidate to start at quarterback.
How Did Sam Darnold Play Before the Injury?
Darnold had barely gotten an opportunity to settle into the game before suffering the injury.
He finished the night completing 1 of 2 passes for 13 yards.
Because the injury occurred on Seattle’s first offensive possession, there was little opportunity to evaluate Darnold’s performance before he was forced to leave.
Sam Darnold Injury Update
Here is the latest information surrounding Darnold’s injury:
| Sam Darnold Injury Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Sam Darnold |
| Team | Seattle Seahawks |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Injury | Right hip |
| Injured Against | New England Patriots |
| Date | September 9, 2026 |
| X-Ray | No fracture |
| CT Scan | No fracture |
| MRI | Scheduled for September 10 |
| Current Status | Awaiting further evaluation |
| Backup QB | Drew Lock |
Is Sam Darnold Injured?
Yes. Darnold is currently dealing with a right hip injury.
However, the Seahawks received encouraging initial news because medical imaging showed no fracture.
The major question now is whether the MRI reveals a soft-tissue injury that could keep Darnold sidelined.
Until the MRI results are known, any specific return timetable would be premature.
What Does Sam Darnold’s Injury Mean for Drew Lock?
Darnold’s injury immediately puts Drew Lock back into an important role in Seattle’s offense.
Lock demonstrated against New England that he can step into the lineup on short notice, completing more than 70 percent of his passes and throwing a touchdown.
If Darnold needs additional recovery time, Seattle could turn to Lock as its starting quarterback.
How long that arrangement lasts will depend on Darnold’s diagnosis and recovery.
What’s Next for Sam Darnold?
The next major development will be the results of Darnold’s MRI.
Those results should give the Seahawks a clearer understanding of the injury and whether their starting quarterback is dealing with an issue that could require him to miss additional time.
For now, the biggest positive is that Darnold did not suffer a hip fracture.
Seattle will continue evaluating his condition before determining his availability for the team’s next game.
Sam Darnold Injury: Bottom Line
Sam Darnold suffered a right hip injury after being sacked during the Seahawks’ 2026 season opener against the Patriots on September 9.
He left the game and did not return.
Initial X-rays and a CT scan showed no fracture, but Darnold is undergoing an MRI on September 10 to determine whether there is additional damage.
Until those MRI results are available, Darnold’s status for Seattle’s next game remains uncertain.
Drew Lock would likely start at quarterback if Darnold is unable to play.