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The Seattle Seahawks got “really, really good news” about Sam Darnold’s hip injury, coach Mike Macdonald said Thursday, although the quarterback’s timeline for a return is not yet clear.
“The hip is intact, and it’s good,” Macdonald said. “It’s more like a muscle thing. So that’s good. So how long that is? We don’t know yet.”
Macdonald said after Wednesday night’s game, which Darnold left after five plays, that the team had ruled out a possible hip fracture. On Thursday, Darnold took more tests, which didn’t show any major concerns.
“We’re praying for Sam. But not, like, worrying,” Macdonald said.
Seahawks beat Patriots to kick off 2026 NFL season
The Seahawks, who rallied with backup Drew Lock for a 13-10 victory over the Patriots, next play Sept. 20 at the Arizona Cardinals. Will Darnold be available?
“I don’t know yet,” Macdonald said. “In my mind, I’m kind of thinking Drew is going to play.”
Darnold is entering the second season of a three-year, $100.5 million deal after leading the Seahawks to a victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl LX last season. He also became the first quarterback in NFL history to win 14 regular-season games in consecutive seasons with different teams — he went 14-3 with the Seahawks last season after posting the same record with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.
The ninth-year pro completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2025.
“It’s tough losing 14,” said reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba. “I mean, he’s the head of the snake. But we have each other’s backs. … We fully trust in Drew Lock to come in and do his thing. He’s done it time and time again.”
So long as Darnold is sidelined, Lock will lead Seattle’s offense. He could start his first game in nearly two years next week in Arizona. Lock last started an NFL game on Jan. 5, 2025, against the Philadelphia Eagles when he was with the New York Giants.
Lock finished 16 of 22 for 187 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers against the Patriots. Last season, he appeared in five games for Seattle, completing 2 of 3 passes for 15 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
The No. 42 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Lock has not been a full-time starter since 2020, and he was turnover-prone when he was one. In 2020, he started 13 games for the Denver Broncos, going 4-9 with an NFL-high 15 interceptions.
Lock said his mindset as a quarterback has changed since then, and that he’s willing to play a more conservative brand of football.
“Knowing the type of defense that we have, there’s no rush to push the ball downfield,” he said. “Let’s find ways to get the ball in our guys’ hands. Now, when the ones downfield are there, I’ve never been one to be afraid to throw those.”
In 41 career games (28 starts), including nine with Seattle across two stints, Lock has completed 59.6 percent of his passes with 34 touchdowns and 28 interceptions.
Third-string quarterback Jalen Milroe could also get some time on the field if Darnold sits out. A second-year pro who is known for being an exceptional athlete, Milroe could be used in specific packages where he would be more likely to run but could also throw.
Adding to the variables, the Seahawks have a first-time coordinator in Brian Fleury. He and Lock worked together in two of Seattle’s three preseason games, with Lock completing 21 of 27 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
After Wednesday’s game, Lock was complimentary of Fleury’s communication, much like Macdonald was pleased with his backup quarterback’s play.
“He did a fantastic job all night,” Lock said of Fleury, adding that the players need to work to avoid penalties. “We need to be a little better on some procedural things. Obviously that’s apparent.”
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