Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is expected to miss the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals after suffering a right hip injury in Wednesday’s season-opening 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that Darnold is expected to sit out the Sept. 20 game, though he could return after a relatively short absence.
Darnold was injured on Seattle’s opening possession when Patriots defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones sacked him. The quarterback limped off the field and was later ruled out after undergoing medical evaluations. He completed one of two passes for 13 yards before leaving the game. Initial X-rays and a CT scan ruled out a fracture, and Darnold underwent an MRI Thursday to further assess the injury.
The subsequent testing brought more encouraging news for Seattle. Coach Mike Macdonald said the hip itself remained intact and described the problem as muscular rather than damage to the joint. The Seahawks have not established a firm timetable for Darnold’s return, but reports indicate the injury is not expected to result in a lengthy absence.
Drew Lock is expected to start against Arizona after taking over for Darnold in the opener and helping Seattle rally from a 10-0 deficit. Lock completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, including a 45-yard scoring connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, as the Seahawks scored the final 13 points of the game.
Darnold’s absence could extend beyond Week 2, but the Seahawks appear to have avoided the major injury initially feared. Seattle has a 17-day gap between its Week 2 game against Arizona and its Sept. 27 matchup with Washington, giving Darnold additional recovery time if he continues to progress as expected.
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