Darnold's Hip Injury Deemed Muscular, No Timetable for Return
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold left the season opener after five snaps with a hip injury, but coach Mike Macdonald said the issue is muscular and not a fracture. Darnold is expected to miss at least Week 2, with Drew Lock likely to start against the Cardinals. The injury occurred on a sack, and a CT scan came back inconclusive.
Following a sack, the Seahawks quarterback underwent a scan that yielded no definitive result, though the head coach clarified the hip is structurally sound and the problem is muscular. He is not being placed on injured reserve, but he is anticipated to miss the next contest, leaving Drew Lock to start against Arizona.
Darnold's previous season featured a 4,000-yard passing effort and a Super Bowl run, making his absence significant. Lock performed competently in relief, throwing for 187 yards and a score, while Jalen Milroe remains the emergency third-string option for the upcoming matchup.
The defending champions' immediate prospects could hinge on Lock's performance, potentially affecting the NFC West race. Fantasy football managers may need to adjust their rosters, while Seahawks fans might see a temporary shift in offensive strategy. If Darnold's recovery extends beyond a few weeks, the team's Super Bowl aspirations could face an early test, though the muscular nature of the injury suggests a relatively short-term disruption.