The Seattle Seahawks came from behind to earn a 13-10 win in their 2026 season opener against the New England Patriots.
Seattle's victory came at the expense of their starting quarterback, Sam Darnold, who was injured early during the proceedings.
Darnold was sacked by Patriots edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones on Seattle's fifth offensive snap of the game. The 29-year-old quarterback was helped to his feet by his teammates but was seen limping as he exited the field.
Darnold originally sat on the bench upon reaching the sideline but later retreated to the blue medical tent. He was then taken back to the locker room for additional examination before being ruled out for the remainder of the game with a hip injury.
Now, the Seahawks will await news on Darnold's
status as they look to defend their Super Bowl 60 title.
Here's what to know about Darnold's injury and when he might return to action.
Sam Darnold injury update
The Seahawks announced Darnold had been ruled out for the remainder of their 2026 season opener just before halftime. He had previously been "questionable" to return because of a hip injury.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald provided a positive update about Darnold's status after the game. Initial tests revealed the quarterback had not suffered a fractured hip.
"There's some more tests to be done, so that's what I'm saying when it's positive," Macdonald told reporters. "I know we're still working through all that, but right now, I think fracture's out, which is great news."
Darnold will have additional testing to determine the extent of his injury.
How long is Sam Darnold out?
The Seahawks did not immediately announce a timetable for Darnold's return.
Macdonald was asked whether he had any hope Darnold would be able to play in the team's Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 20. His response?
"I really don't know. I don't know what the extent is," Macdonald said, referencing Darnold's injury. "I don't know."
Who is Sam Darnold's backup?
Drew Lock is the Seahawks' backup quarterback. The 29-year-old performed well in Darnold's stead against the Patriots, completing 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. He also added 13 yards on two carries, one of which was a 14-yard scramble.
Lock was originally a second-round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2019 NFL Draft. He entered play Wednesday with a career record of 10-18 in 28 career starts and has completed 59.6% of his career passes for 6,369 yards, 34 touchdowns and 28 interceptions.
Seahawks QB depth chart
The Seahawks have three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. Below is a look at the pecking order within that unit:
- Sam Darnold
- Drew Lock
- Jalen Milroe
Milroe, a third-round pick in 2025, played sparingly during his rookie season. He logged three carries for four yards while playing in three games. The Alabama product did not attempt a pass and spent most of his season in the emergency third-string role.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How long is Sam Darnold out? Injury update, return date for Seahawks QB
