Sam Darnold’s 2026 NFL season began with an unexpected injury scare as the Seattle Seahawks quarterback was forced out of the season opener against the New England Patriots. Darnold suffered a right hip injury after taking a sack early in the game, immediately raising questions about his availability for the Seahawks’ upcoming games.
The injury came at a particularly important moment for Darnold. After helping Seattle win Super Bowl LX and establishing himself as one of the NFL’s most productive quarterbacks, expectations were high entering the new season. The Seahawks were also beginning their title defense against the Patriots in a rematch of the previous season’s Super Bowl.
Fortunately for Darnold and Seattle, the early medical results were encouraging.
What Happened to Sam Darnold?
Sam Darnold was injured during the opening drive of Seattle’s game against New England on September 9, 2026. Patriots defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones sacked Darnold, and the quarterback appeared to be in discomfort after the play.
Darnold limped off the field and went to the medical area before eventually heading to the locker room. The Seahawks initially listed him as questionable to return with a hip injury. He did not return to the game, with Drew Lock taking over at quarterback.
The timing made the injury especially concerning because Darnold was only a few plays into the 2026 NFL season. Seattle had entered the matchup as the defending Super Bowl champion, and Darnold was expected to be a central part of the team’s attempt to repeat.
Darnold finished the game with just two pass attempts, completing one for 13 yards.
Sam Darnold Injury Update
The good news for the Seahawks is that initial testing did not show a fracture.
After the game, Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said the initial evaluation was encouraging. A CT scan showed that Darnold had not suffered a hip fracture, although additional testing was needed to determine the full extent of the injury.
A subsequent MRI also brought positive news, with reports indicating that Darnold avoided significant structural damage. However, the Seahawks had not immediately established a definitive return date, leaving his availability for the next game uncertain.
That means the word “out” needs some context. Darnold was ruled out of the Patriots game, but the latest information does not indicate that he is expected to miss a long stretch of the season.
The Seahawks have a Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on September 20, giving the team additional time to evaluate Darnold’s recovery.
Is Sam Darnold Out for the Seahawks?
Darnold was out for the remainder of Seattle’s season opener after suffering the hip injury. His status beyond that game depends on his recovery and the team’s medical evaluation.
The positive MRI results mean Seattle avoided the worst-case scenario. A serious hip fracture could have resulted in a lengthy absence, but current reports instead point toward a potentially shorter recovery. Seahawks general manager John Schneider said the team was relieved by the results, while emphasizing that the exact timeline remained uncertain.
For fantasy football players, Seahawks fans and NFL followers, Darnold’s practice participation will be one of the most important indicators of his Week 2 availability.
If Darnold cannot play, Drew Lock is the obvious player to watch.
Drew Lock Steps Up for Seattle
Drew Lock entered the game after Darnold’s injury and helped Seattle complete a remarkable comeback.
The Seahawks trailed New England 10-0 before rallying to win 13-10. Lock completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, providing enough offensive production for Seattle to overcome its early deficit.
Lock’s performance could become particularly important if Darnold needs additional recovery time. Although Darnold remains Seattle’s established starter, Lock demonstrated that the Seahawks have a capable backup who can manage the offense if required.
Seattle’s defense was also critical. The Seahawks forced three fourth-quarter interceptions from Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, helping secure the comeback victory.
Sam Darnold Seahawks Career
Darnold joined the Seahawks as a free agent in March 2025 after spending the 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings. His move to Seattle represented another major stage in a career that had already included stops with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers and Vikings.
His first season with Seattle proved to be a major success.
In 2025, Darnold started all 17 regular-season games for the Seahawks. He completed 323 of 477 passes for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while posting a 99.1 passer rating.
Those numbers helped establish Darnold as one of the league’s more reliable quarterbacks and contributed to Seattle’s highly successful season.
The Seahawks finished with a franchise-record 14 regular-season wins and earned the NFC’s No. 1 seed before winning Super Bowl LX. Darnold was also selected to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season.
Sam Darnold NFL Stats
Darnold’s NFL career has changed dramatically since his early years with the Jets.
According to NFL statistics, he has played 100 regular-season games, making 90 starts. Through the start of the 2026 season, he has completed 1,766 of 2,833 passes for 20,431 yards, 123 touchdowns and 82 interceptions. His career passer rating is 86.5.
His most productive seasons have come recently.
With Minnesota in 2024, Darnold threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns with 12 interceptions while producing a 102.5 passer rating. In 2025 with Seattle, he followed that campaign with 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and a 99.1 rating.
Those back-to-back seasons transformed the perception of Darnold from a former first-round quarterback searching for consistency into an established NFL starter.
Darnold’s 2026 Season Stats
Darnold’s 2026 statistics currently reflect his extremely short appearance against New England.
He completed one of two passing attempts for 13 yards and recorded a 70.8 passer rating before leaving the game with the hip injury.
Those numbers obviously do not provide a meaningful indication of how Darnold was expected to perform over a full season. His previous two campaigns provide a much better representation of his current level as an NFL quarterback.
The biggest question now is whether the hip injury will cost him any additional games.
Why Darnold’s Injury Matters
Darnold’s health is important to the Seahawks because the team is attempting to defend its Super Bowl championship.
Seattle built its offense around Darnold’s experience, accuracy and ability to make plays downfield. His 4,048 passing yards in 2025 ranked among the NFL’s best totals, while his 67.7% completion percentage was a career high.
Losing him for an extended period would therefore create a major challenge.
At the same time, Seattle showed in Week 1 that it can win without Darnold for at least part of a game. Lock stepped in, while the defense produced the turnovers necessary to overcome a 10-point deficit.
What’s Next for Sam Darnold?
The next step is monitoring Darnold’s recovery and practice status ahead of Seattle’s Week 2 game against Arizona.
The encouraging MRI results suggest that the injury is not as serious as it initially appeared. However, the Seahawks will have little reason to rush their starting quarterback if he is not fully ready.
Darnold’s situation should therefore remain one of the major NFL injury storylines heading into Week 2.
For now, the most important takeaway is that Sam Darnold was forced out of Seattle’s opener with a hip injury, but early testing ruled out a fracture and subsequent reports indicated no significant damage. His long-term season outlook appears considerably more positive than it did when he first limped off the field.
Final Thoughts
Sam Darnold’s injury created an immediate concern for the Seahawks, but the latest medical updates have provided encouraging news. He left the season opener after taking a sack from Dre’Mont Jones and did not return, finishing with one completion for 13 yards.
Seattle nevertheless defeated New England 13-10 behind Drew Lock and a defense that produced three fourth-quarter interceptions.
Darnold’s recent NFL statistics show why his availability matters. After recording more than 4,000 passing yards in both 2024 and 2025, he enters 2026 as an important part of Seattle’s championship defense.
The big question now is not whether Darnold suffered a season-ending injury—it appears he did not—but whether he will be healthy enough to return quickly. With the Seahawks facing Arizona next, his recovery and practice participation will be closely watched by NFL fans.
