Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold exited the season opener after sustaining a right hip injury on the fifth snap of the game. He was sacked on the opening drive, hobbled to the sideline without assistance and was evaluated in a privacy tent. Seattle then had X-rays in the locker room and initially listed him as questionable before ruling him out for the game.
Team officials announced there is no timetable for Darnold's return, and he was scheduled for an MRI on Thursday after ESPN reported a CT scan returned inconclusive results. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald told reporters the team had received "great news back" from the scan, suggesting a fracture had been ruled out.
Darnold was replaced by backup Drew Lock, and the offense struggled early, but Seattle rallied to score 13 unanswered points and won 13-10. Lock completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown after stepping in. The defense forced three interceptions of New England's Drake Maye, and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished with eight catches for 122 yards.
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Macdonald praised Lock after the game, saying "I should have given him the game ball" and noting the team's confidence in the backup. He added that players "love Drew" and expressed hope Darnold's injury would be minor. Lock said his immediate focus was to "take care of the football" and to work with the defense and playmakers on the roster.
The sudden absence of Darnold leaves the Seahawks uncertain about their quarterbacking plans while medical tests proceed. The team confirmed the MRI appointment and provided no timetable for a return. The article noted Darnold is one of six active quarterbacks with Super Bowl wins and the only quarterback to win a title for his fifth team or later. It also reported that last season he joined Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to win 14 games as a starter in consecutive seasons.
