Seahawks QB Sam Darnold Avoids Hip Fracture in Opener

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold avoided a bone fracture after sustaining a right hip injury during the opening drive of Wednesday’s season-opening game against the New England Patriots. Medical imaging ruled out a broken bone, though team doctors are evaluating additional scan results to determine how long he will be out of action. Backup quarterback Drew Lock replaced Darnold and helped guide the defending Super Bowl champions to a 13-10 victory at Lumen Field.

Early Exit in Season Opener

The injury occurred on the fifth play of the game when former Seahawks outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones sacked Darnold on third down. Darnold landed hard on his right knee and limped off the field to the medical tent before walking to the locker room. Unnamed sources told ESPN that Darnold underwent an initial CT scan at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, followed by an MRI on Thursday to evaluate the soft tissue damage.

Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald expressed relief that initial diagnostic tests cleared Darnold of any broken bones. “At this point, we are able to rule out a fracture,” Macdonald told reporters following the game. He added that it remains uncertain whether Darnold will recover in time for the team’s Sept. 20 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

Lock Leads Second-Half Comeback

With Darnold sidelined, Lock assumed quarterback duties for an offense that struggled through the early stages of the contest. The Seahawks trailed 7-0 at halftime after failing to generate scoring drives on their first three possessions under Lock. New England extended its lead before Seattle kicker Jason Myers converted a 30-yard field goal late in the third quarter to narrow the deficit to 10-3.

Seattle’s defense sparked a fourth-quarter turnaround by forcing three interceptions against Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett secured the first turnover after safety Rodney Thomas II tipped a deep pass. The defensive performance enabled Lock and the Seahawks to score ten unanswered points in the second half to secure the win.

Off-Field Milestones and Ownership Transition

The victory capped a notable day for the Seattle franchise, which officially finalized its sale from the estate of Paul Allen to the Khosla family earlier in the week. Before kickoff, former players Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman participated in pregame ceremonies, unveiling the team’s Super Bowl LX championship banner and raising the ceremonial flag.

Background

Darnold joined the Seahawks as starting quarterback following a title-winning campaign in Super Bowl LX. The team’s opening victory begins its championship defense, though Darnold’s availability for upcoming regular-season games remains subject to medical review.