Sam Darnold injured in NFL season opener, Seahawks play Cardinals in 11 days

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold left with a hip injury during the first game of the NFL season. The Cardinals play the Seahawks in Week 2.

BY DYLAN KANE

Sep 9, 2026, 7:14 PM

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in the game at Lumen Field on September 09, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold exited Wednesday’s NFL season opener against the New England Patriots with a hip injury. The injury occurred after he played only five snaps, and the Seahawks announced that he would not return to the game.

The Arizona Cardinals play the Seahawks in Week 2 of the season on Sept. 20. Darnold’s status going forward will be something to monitor as the Cardinals prepare to welcome the defending champions.

Darnold was sacked by Dre’Mont Jones, and the quarterback’s right leg appeared to take the brunt of the impact as Jones drove him to the turf. Darnold limped off the field, was examined in the sideline medical tent and then limped to the locker room.

.@Seahawks injury update: QB Sam Darnold will not return to the game.

— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) September 10, 2026

Darnold led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win a season ago, and he underwent X-rays in the locker room, per the broadcast.

Backup Drew Lock entered the game for Darnold, and second-year quarterback Jalen Milroe is Seattle’s third-string quarterback. Lock has started 28 games to a 10-18 record previously in his career with Seattle, the New York Giants and Denver Broncos.

Darnold did not miss a game last season. He threw for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in the regular season as Seattle won a franchise-record 14 games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.