Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold leaves game with a hip injury in NFL opener
NBC News • • sports
Key Points:
- Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a right hip injury on his sixth snap in the 2026 season opener against the New England Patriots, forcing him out of the game with no set timetable for return.
- Darnold was sacked on the opening drive, left the field under his own power, but was later ruled out after evaluation and X-rays.
- Backup quarterback Drew Lock replaced Darnold, with the Seahawks trailing 7-0 at halftime in the rematch of the Super Bowl.
- Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald expressed confidence in Drew Lock during the halftime interview despite the team's offensive struggles.
- Darnold is notable as one of six active Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks and the only one to win a title with his fifth team or later, having also achieved 14 wins as a starter in consecutive seasons.
