Medical Expert Reveals Why Sam Darnold’s Hip Injury Is Not a Common NFL Scenario

· Yahoo Sports

Sam Darnold‘s return to Lumen Field was supposed to be a coronation. Instead, the Seahawks quarterback limped off the field just minutes into Seattle’s rematch with the New England Patriots, the same team he beat in Super Bowl LX.

Fans who watched him lift the Lombardi Trophy in February were left staring at Drew Lock warming up. What doctors found next will shape how the rest of Seattle’s season plays out.

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Sam Darnold ruled out with injury on Seahawks’ opening drive

Seattle hosted New England on Wednesday night in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl. Darnold started strong, guiding the Seahawks on a five-play opening drive. He completed one of two passes for 13 yards before Patriots edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones brought him down on third down.

Darnold’s right hip absorbed the impact of the tackle. He limped off the field but did not need help reaching the sideline. Trainers examined him inside the blue medical tent, then took him back to the locker room for X-rays.

Sep 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (5) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The Seahawks initially listed Darnold as questionable to return. He was officially ruled out just before halftime, with New England leading 7-0 at the time. Backup quarterback Drew Lock took over and settled in as the game wore on.

Darnold later traveled to Harborview Medical Center for a CT scan on his hip. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the initial results were encouraging but inconclusive. He is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday to get a clearer diagnosis.

Sports medicine doctor Jesse Morse flagged a posterior hip labral tear as his top concern after reviewing the tackle footage, along with a possible PCL sprain in the knee. That assessment is his own read of the video and has not been confirmed by the team.

Head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters that doctors were able to rule out a fracture, calling it good news heading into the test.

Drew Lock, Seahawks push through in the second half as Sam Darnold awaits results

Darnold’s health matters because of what he built last season. He threw for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns, earned a second Pro Bowl selection, and led Seattle to its first Super Bowl title.

His comeback from being labeled a draft bust with the Jets, Panthers and 49ers became one of the league’s best stories. Off the field, he sealed his rise with a three-year, $110.5 million contract extension this offseason.

Jun 11, 2025; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes the ball to quarterback Drew Lock (2) during mini-camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Lock, who backed up Darnold during that title run, finished the opener 16 of 22 for 187 yards and a 45-yard touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Seattle leaned on its defense and Lock’s late plays to escape with a win.

“We’ve got faith in Drew, and he’s settled into the game now,” Macdonald told NBC sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung.

That confidence will be tested soon under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, depending on what Thursday’s scan reveals.

Seattle survived Week 1 with a 13-10 win, but the future is uncertain. The Seahawks host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, and both teams will be watching MRI results closely to see whether Darnold, or Lock, leads the offense.

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