Sam Darnold Injury Update, Seahawks QB May Not Return For The Rest Of The Season After Hip Injury

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The Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl title defense got off to a frightening start, and fans are already deeply concerned about the team's fate this season. Quarterback Sam Darnold had to walk away from the match minutes into the season opener against the New England Patriots after being driven to the ground. What initially looked like a potentially serious lower-leg injury was later announced by Seattle as a hip injury. 

What happened to Sam Darnold?

The injury occurred during Seattle’s opening possession. Darnold dropped back on third down but couldn't find an open receiver before Jones brought him down. He immediately appeared to be in pain and was seen limping as he headed toward the sideline. He got up slowly and appeared to favor his right side.

Credit: The Seattle Times

Darnold initially waved away assistance from the training staff before eventually entering the blue medical tent. Visibly in discomfort, he eventually headed to the locker room for further evaluation and X-rays. 

NFL insider Ari Meirov reported that Darnold was being evaluated for an apparent leg injury. Medical analyst Dr. Jesse Morse also suggested that the quarterback could have sustained an injury involving his right knee or PCL based on how his leg appeared to be positioned during the tackle. 

However, the Seahawks later officially designated his injury as a hip injury and announced that Darnold needed to undergo further testing to determine the extent of the problem. The QB could complete just one of two passes before leaving the game.

Will Sam Darnold be able to return?

Unfortunately for Seahawks fans, Darnold's return remains a question mark at this stage. The team listed his return as questionable, meaning there was still a possibility that he could re-enter the game if medical evaluations cleared him. However, the extent of his injuries requiring additional testing has immediately raised the stakes. After Darnold's exit, Drew Lock took over under center. 

For Seahawks fans, the biggest concern right now is whether Darnold will be able to play at all this season, and his uncertain return has been a huge letdown. Though not officially confirmed yet, several reports circulating online claim that the 29-year-old quarterback has been ruled out for the remainder of the season to recover from the hip injury. 

Fans have expressed their disappointment at the turn of events, especially as Darnold's emergence in Seattle had transformed the trajectory of the franchise. After several difficult seasons earlier in his career, the former No. 3 overall pick finally established himself as a legitimate franchise quarterback. His breakout with Minnesota in 2024 helped rebuild his reputation, and he carried that momentum into Seattle.

In 2025, Darnold threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions during the regular season, helping guide the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship. With him in the locker room, Drew Lock suddenly found himself responsible for keeping Seattle's title defense on track. 

The veteran quarterback hasn't seen significant regular-season action since his stint with the New York Giants. While the Seahawks haven't yet confirmed Darnold's future this season, the disappointment is evident. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), a fan wrote, "I honestly don’t even care about the game anymore. Just please tell me Sam Darnold will only miss a couple games."

The opening game of the 2026 NFL season is still ongoing, and at the time of this reporting, the Patriots and Seahawks are tied 10-10 after the former held a 10-3 lead in the 3rd quarter and a 7-0 lead before halftime. Patriots wide receiver AJ Brown also suffered an ankle injury early in the third quarter, and his return has become uncertain. 

Wishing Sam Darnold and AJ Brown's quick recovery.

Image courtesy: The Seattle Times, X photos

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