Sam Darnold Injured in Seahawks’ Season Opener

The Seattle Seahawks began their NFL season with an unexpected setback, as quarterback Sam Darnold suffered an injury early in the game against the New England Patriots. Just five plays into the season, Darnold was sacked by Patriots linebacker Dre’Mont Jones. As a result, he seemed to land awkwardly, which led to him limping off the field.

Following the sack during the Seahawks’ opening drive, Darnold was visibly limping as he headed to the sideline. He entered the blue medical tent for evaluation by the Seahawks’ medical team. After spending some time there, Darnold was seen limping into the locker room, raising concerns about his ability to return.

Play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico commented on Darnold’s limp during NBC’s broadcast. Despite the initial jog to the sideline, Darnold’s condition appeared to worsen, prompting his visit to the medical tent from which he has yet to return. Darnold’s status is now marked as questionable, with Drew Lock taking over quarterback duties for Seattle.

Sam Darnold’s importance to the Seahawks is undeniable. He played a key role in the team’s Super Bowl victory last season, a triumph celebrated by fans known as the ’12s.’ His impressive performance included a 14-3 season with the Minnesota Vikings before joining Seattle. In his debut season with the Seahawks, he threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions with a 67.7% completion rate.

In playoff appearances, Darnold’s impact was evident, as he recorded five touchdowns without interceptions over three games. The Seahawks hope the injury won’t sideline Darnold for a significant period.

Drew Lock now steps up as the starting quarterback. Lock backed up Darnold last season and previously played for Seattle in 2023. His journey included a stint with the New York Giants, where he started five games in 2024. Lock’s career includes 28 starts, with a record of 10-18. He accumulated 6,369 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions over 41 appearances.