Sam Darnold Injury Update: Seahawks Seek Four Expert Opinions After Scary Injury
Sam Darnold avoided a feared season-ending hip fracture, but the Seahawks quarterback will miss Week 2 with a glute injury as Seattle seeks four expert opinions on his return timeline.
The Seattle Seahawks have received better news on Sam Darnold, but they still face a major question. Their starting quarterback will miss at least Week 2 after suffering a glute injury in the season opener. Seattle once feared he had fractured his hip socket, which could have ended his season. Now, the team is seeking several expert opinions before setting a return plan for its quarterback.
Sam Darnold injury update gives Seahawks some hope
Darnold suffered the injury during Seattle's 13-10 win over the New England Patriots. The quarterback went down only five plays into the game after Patriots defensive end Dre'Mont Jones sacked him while he tried to leave the pocket.
Darnold managed to reach the sideline but was unable to continue. He completed one of two passes for 13 yards before Drew Lock took over.
The biggest relief came when doctors ruled out the feared fracture. FOX Sports reporter Jay Glazer said the Seahawks are now focused on understanding the tendon issue in Darnold's glute and how long it could keep him out.
“Initially, they actually thought he fractured that hip socket, which would have put him out for the year. Instead, there is a tendon injury in the glute. They're still trying to gather information,” Glazer said on FOX NFL Sunday.
Seattle is not putting a firm date on Darnold's return yet. The team wants more opinions before deciding how to handle the injury.
“They're gathering four second opinions to figure out exactly what the timetable will be, and what the plan of attack will be. He's gonna miss next week, but we have no idea after that,” Glazer added.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also reported that Darnold is expected to miss the Seahawks' Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals. A return in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders remains possible.
“My understanding is Sam Darnold is going to be out next week, and then we'll see. So probably, a couple games was the description given to me. We will see if he's able to get there for Week 3 against the Commanders,” Rapoport said on NFL GameDay Morning.
“We've been calling it a hip injury, but my understanding is it's actually a glute injury. So Darnold hurt, he hurt his butt. It's a muscular injury, not considered to be major.”
Drew Lock gives Seahawks a timely boost
While Darnold's injury creates uncertainty, Lock gave Seattle a reason to feel confident about its immediate plans.
The veteran completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. He helped the Seahawks recover from a 10-0 deficit and produce two fourth-quarter scoring drives. That performance matters with Darnold set to miss the Cardinals game. Seattle also has Jalen Milroe on the roster, but Lock began the season as Darnold's main backup.
Darnold remains vital to Seattle's plans. He threw for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns last season while helping the Seahawks win a franchise-record 14 games and their first Super Bowl in a decade.
For now, Seattle will wait for more medical feedback. The Cardinals game is next, while Week 3 could become the target if Darnold responds well to treatment and recovery.