SPORTS · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Seahawks’ Sam Darnold Out of Season Opener After Hip Injury
WHY IT MATTERS
Darnold’s absence forces the Seahawks to rely on their backup, potentially altering the team’s offensive strategy and impacting the Patriots’ defensive preparations for the opening game.
What happened
Sam Darnold, the Seahawks’ starting quarterback, will miss the season‑opening game against the New England Patriots after a hip injury sustained on the opening drive. Team officials are reviewing an MRI to assess the damage and determine a recovery timeline.
The injury was confirmed by the Seahawks’ medical staff, who ruled Darnold unable to play. With Darnold sidelined, the Seahawks must activate a backup quarterback and adjust their offensive game plan for the first matchup of the season.
The Patriots’ coaching staff will need to prepare for a different offensive threat, while the Seahawks’ roster depth will be tested as the team navigates the early part of the campaign.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Seahawks reviewing MRI of QB San Darnold's hip injury
ESPN · Brady Henderson · Discovery only; ESPN copyright terms apply
CORRECTIONS & UPDATES
- Revision 1 · Initial ingestion · Sep 10, 2026, 5:00 PM
- Revision 2 · Source update detected · Sep 10, 2026, 5:00 PM
- Revision 3 · Source update detected · Sep 10, 2026, 5:00 PM