Sam Darnold: What Happened to His Hip? Is He Out for the Season?

Sam Darnold suffered a right hip injury during the Seattle Seahawks’ 2026 season opener against the New England Patriots, immediately raising questions about what happened to the quarterback and whether he could miss significant time.

Darnold was injured early in the game after taking a sack from former Seahawks defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones. He was able to get up and leave the field, but he was visibly limping. After being evaluated by the medical staff, Darnold went to the locker room and was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The good news for Seattle is that initial testing did not show a fracture. However, Darnold still needed further evaluation, with an MRI scheduled to determine the extent of the hip injury.

What happened to Sam Darnold?

Sam Darnold injured his hip on Seattle’s opening offensive series against New England.

The quarterback was sacked by Dre’Mont Jones on the fifth play of the game. Darnold appeared to take the majority of the impact around his right side and hip. He got back to his feet but immediately showed signs of discomfort.

Darnold was examined in the medical tent before heading to the locker room. The Seahawks initially listed him as questionable to return with a hip injury. He was later ruled out.

Before leaving the game, Darnold completed one of two passes for 13 yards.

What is Sam Darnold’s hip injury?

The Seahawks identified the problem as a right hip injury. At this stage, the exact diagnosis and severity had not been publicly established.

Initial X-rays and a CT scan were encouraging because they showed no fracture. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald described the initial results as good news. Darnold was scheduled for an MRI for a more detailed evaluation.

An MRI can provide more information about soft-tissue damage and other issues that may not appear on an X-ray or CT scan.

Therefore, it is too early to say exactly how long Darnold will be sidelined.

Is Sam Darnold out for the season?

No. Sam Darnold has not been confirmed out for the season.

As of the latest reports, the Seahawks had ruled him out of the season-opening game, but there was no announcement that he would miss the entire 2026 season.

The initial scans ruling out a fracture are an encouraging sign. However, his final diagnosis and recovery timeline depend on the results of further testing.

So, reports suggesting that Darnold is already out for the season should be treated cautiously unless Seattle provides a definitive update.

Did Sam Darnold get hurt against the Patriots?

Yes. Darnold was hurt during the Seahawks’ Week 1 matchup with the Patriots.

The injury occurred when Jones sacked him early in the contest. Darnold left the field after the play and did not return.

Drew Lock replaced him at quarterback and helped Seattle complete a comeback victory. The Seahawks ultimately defeated New England 13-10, despite falling behind early in the game. Lock finished with 16 completions on 22 attempts for 187 yards and a touchdown.

Will Sam Darnold play in the next game?

That remains uncertain.

Darnold’s availability for Seattle’s next game depends on the severity of his hip injury and how quickly he can recover. The Seahawks were waiting for additional medical information before determining his status.

Because there was no fracture on the initial testing, Seattle has reason to remain hopeful. However, the team should have a clearer picture once the MRI results and subsequent medical evaluations are complete.

Who replaced Sam Darnold?

Drew Lock took over after Darnold left the game.

Lock was able to guide the Seahawks’ offense during the remainder of the contest. He helped Seattle overcome a 10-0 deficit, while the Seahawks defense produced three fourth-quarter interceptions against Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.

Lock’s performance gives Seattle an experienced option if Darnold has to miss additional time.

Sam Darnold injury update

The latest Sam Darnold injury update is relatively encouraging but still incomplete.

• Injury: Right hip
• Opponent: New England Patriots
• How it happened: Sacked by Dre’Mont Jones
• Game status: Ruled out
• Initial testing: No fracture detected
• Further testing: MRI scheduled
• Out for season: Not confirmed
• Replacement: Drew Lock

The most important development is that the initial scans did not reveal a fracture. The MRI and subsequent medical evaluation will determine whether Darnold can return soon or needs an extended recovery.

What does the injury mean for the Seahawks?

Darnold’s injury is significant because Seattle entered the 2026 season as the defending Super Bowl champion. The quarterback was expected to lead the team after an impressive 2025 campaign.

Still, the Seahawks showed they could win without Darnold in the opener. Their defense made several critical plays late in the game, while Lock provided enough offense to complete the comeback.

If Darnold misses only a short period, Seattle could potentially rely on Lock while its starting quarterback recovers. A longer absence, however, would create a much bigger challenge for the defending champions.

Conclusion

Sam Darnold was forced out of Seattle’s season opener after suffering a right hip injury on a sack by Dre’Mont Jones. He was ruled out for the game, but initial scans found no fracture, which is encouraging news for the Seahawks.

At this point, Sam Darnold is not confirmed out for the season. His timetable depends on further medical testing, including an MRI. Until the Seahawks announce a definitive diagnosis, speculation about a season-ending injury remains premature.

FAQs

What happened to Sam Darnold?

Sam Darnold suffered a right hip injury after being sacked by Dre’Mont Jones during Seattle’s season opener against New England.

What injury does Sam Darnold have?

Darnold has a right hip injury. Initial testing did not show a fracture, but further evaluation was required.

Is Sam Darnold out for the season?

No. He has not been confirmed out for the season. His recovery timeline depends on additional medical testing.

Did Sam Darnold get hurt against the Patriots?

Yes. He was injured early in the game against the Patriots and was ruled out after leaving for medical evaluation.

Who replaced Sam Darnold?

Drew Lock replaced Darnold at quarterback and helped the Seahawks defeat the Patriots 13-10.