Updated: September 10, 2026 The Seattle Seahawks opened their 2026 NFL season with a win, but the night immediately became about one question: What happened to Sam Darnold? Seattle's starting quarterback left the season opener against the New England Patriots after suffering a right hip injury on the Seahawks' opening drive . The good news? Initial X-rays and a CT scan did not show a hip fracture . The not-so-good news? The Seahawks still don't have the complete diagnosis. Darnold is scheduled for an MRI , which is expected to provide a clearer picture of the injury and help determine his recovery timeline. Meanwhile, Drew Lock stepped in and helped Seattle erase a 10-0 deficit , leading the Seahawks to a dramatic 13-10 victory over the Patriots . So here's everything you need to know about the Sam Darnold injury, MRI, Week 2 status, Drew Lock situation and Seahawks vs Patriots game . 🚨 Sam Darnold Injury Update: The Latest Question Latest update Injury R...
Sam Darnold Injury Update: What Happened, MRI, Week 2 Status, Drew Lock and Seahawks vs Patriots Result
Updated: September 10, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks opened their 2026 NFL season with a win, but the night immediately became about one question:
What happened to Sam Darnold?
Seattle's starting quarterback left the season opener against the New England Patriots after suffering a right hip injury on the Seahawks' opening drive.
The good news?
Initial X-rays and a CT scan did not show a hip fracture.
The not-so-good news?
The Seahawks still don't have the complete diagnosis. Darnold is scheduled for an MRI, which is expected to provide a clearer picture of the injury and help determine his recovery timeline.
Meanwhile, Drew Lock stepped in and helped Seattle erase a 10-0 deficit, leading the Seahawks to a dramatic 13-10 victory over the Patriots.
So here's everything you need to know about the Sam Darnold injury, MRI, Week 2 status, Drew Lock situation and Seahawks vs Patriots game.
🚨 Sam Darnold Injury Update: The Latest
| Question | Latest update |
|---|---|
| Injury | Right hip injury |
| When did it happen? | Opening drive vs Patriots |
| How did it happen? | Sacked by Dre'Mont Jones |
| Did he return? | No |
| Initial X-ray | No fracture |
| CT scan | No fracture reported |
| MRI | Scheduled / pending |
| Week 2 status | Still uncertain |
| Week 2 opponent | Arizona Cardinals |
| Backup QB | Drew Lock |
Head coach Mike Macdonald said the initial testing produced positive news because a fracture was ruled out, but the team still needed additional testing.
Important: At this point, there is no verified report that Sam Darnold is out for the season.
What Happened to Sam Darnold?
It happened almost immediately.
During Seattle's first offensive possession against New England, Darnold was trying to escape pressure when Patriots defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones brought him down on third down.
Darnold got back up, but he was visibly limping.
He initially went toward the sideline before eventually entering the blue medical tent for evaluation. He later headed toward the locker room with a team physician.
Drew Lock began warming up as Seattle prepared for the possibility that its starting quarterback couldn't continue.
Darnold was eventually ruled out before halftime.
He finished the game with just:
1 completion on 2 attempts for 13 yards.
And suddenly, the Seahawks' Super Bowl title defense had a massive question hanging over it.
Did Sam Darnold Break His Hip?
No fracture was found on the initial testing.
That's the biggest piece of encouraging news right now.
Darnold underwent initial imaging after leaving the game, and head coach Mike Macdonald said doctors were able to rule out a fracture. However, the diagnosis wasn't considered complete, which is why additional testing was needed.
That distinction matters.
No fracture does not automatically mean no significant injury.
The MRI is important because it can provide more information about soft-tissue structures and the overall extent of the injury.
So if you're searching:
“Is Sam Darnold injured?”
Yes.
“Is Sam Darnold out?”
He was ruled out of the Patriots game.
“Is Sam Darnold out for the season?”
That has not been confirmed.
Sam Darnold MRI: When Will We Know More?
The Seahawks are awaiting the MRI to get a clearer understanding of Darnold's hip injury.
As of the latest reporting, the MRI result has not been announced.
That means reports claiming a specific tear, long-term absence or season-ending injury should be treated cautiously unless Seattle officially confirms them.
For now, the situation is essentially:
Injury → initial imaging → fracture ruled out → MRI → diagnosis → recovery timeline.
That's the sequence Seahawks fans are waiting on.
Is Sam Darnold Playing in Week 2?
It's too early to say.
Seattle's next game is against the Arizona Cardinals on September 20.
The MRI should provide more information, but Darnold's actual availability will also depend on how he responds during the following week's preparation.
So if you're searching:
Is Sam Darnold playing Week 2?
Currently unknown.
Is Sam Darnold starting?
Not confirmed yet.
Is Sam Darnold out?
His status for Week 2 remains uncertain.
That could change quickly once the MRI and practice reports arrive.
Why Is Drew Lock Starting?
Because Sam Darnold couldn't finish the opener.
And here's where the story gets interesting.
Drew Lock didn't just survive the situation—he helped Seattle win the game.
Lock entered after Darnold's injury and eventually completed:
16 of 22 passes for 187 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions.
Seattle was trailing 10-0 before its offense finally came alive.
Then Lock delivered the play that completely changed the game.
Drew Lock to Jaxon Smith-Njigba: The Play That Changed Everything
Seattle faced a fourth-and-1 situation in the fourth quarter.
Lock connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who turned the short completion into a 45-yard touchdown.
That play tied the game at 10-10.
Suddenly, Seattle was alive.
The Seahawks defense then produced another interception, and Jason Myers kicked a 26-yard field goal to put Seattle ahead 13-10.
And then came the final dagger.
Josh Jobe Seals the Seahawks Win
With the Patriots trying to answer, quarterback Drake Maye attempted to make a play late.
Instead, Seahawks defensive back Josh Jobe came up with a toe-tapping interception in the end zone with just 21 seconds remaining.
Game over.
Seattle won:
Seahawks 13, Patriots 10
The Seahawks defense intercepted Maye three times in the fourth quarter.
So despite losing their starting quarterback early, Seattle somehow walked away with a season-opening victory.
Seahawks vs Patriots Score
Final Score
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 10 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 13 |
Seattle trailed 10-0 before scoring 13 unanswered points.
The Seahawks' comeback included:
- Jason Myers 30-yard field goal
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba 45-yard touchdown
- Jason Myers 26-yard game-winning field goal
- Three fourth-quarter interceptions of Drake Maye
- Josh Jobe's game-sealing interception
Who Won the NFL Game Last Night?
If you're searching “who won the NFL game last night?”, the answer is:
Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 13-10.
The game was the 2026 NFL season opener and a rematch of the previous season's Super Bowl.
Seattle improved to 1-0, while New England dropped to 0-1.
Drake Maye Stats vs Seahawks
Drake Maye had a difficult fourth quarter.
His final numbers:
| Stat | Drake Maye |
|---|---|
| Completions | 23 |
| Attempts | 33 |
| Passing yards | 178 |
| TD | 1 |
| INT | 3 |
| Rushing | 7 carries, 47 yards |
Maye threw a touchdown pass to rookie Eli Raridon, but Seattle's defense intercepted him three times in the fourth quarter.
The final interception by Josh Jobe ended New England's comeback attempt.
Seahawks vs Patriots Player Stats
Passing
| Player | C/ATT | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drew Lock | 16/22 | 187 | 1 | 0 |
| Sam Darnold | 1/2 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Drake Maye | 23/33 | 178 | 1 | 3 |
Official Patriots and game reporting confirm Maye's 23-of-33, 178-yard, three-interception performance, while Seattle's box score lists Lock at 16-of-22 for 187 yards and one touchdown.
Receiving
The biggest receiving performance belonged to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
He finished with:
8 receptions — 122 yards — 1 touchdown.
His 45-yard touchdown from Lock was the biggest offensive play of Seattle's comeback.
Seahawks Defense Saved the Night
The story could have been completely different.
Seattle's offense struggled for much of the game after Darnold exited.
But the defense refused to let the Patriots finish the job.
The Seahawks recorded:
- 3 interceptions
- 3 fourth-quarter interceptions of Drake Maye
- A game-sealing Josh Jobe interception
- Multiple key sacks and pressure plays
The defensive turnaround was a major reason Seattle escaped with the win.
What Does Sam Darnold's Injury Mean for the Seahawks?
This is the bigger question.
Darnold isn't just Seattle's starting quarterback.
He was a major part of the team's 2025 championship season.
The Seahawks' official profile notes that Darnold helped Seattle win a franchise-record 14 regular-season games and secure the NFC's No. 1 seed during the Super Bowl LX-winning season. He also posted 4,048 passing yards and a 99.1 passer rating in 2025.
So losing him for any meaningful period would be a major storyline.
But Seattle has one thing many teams don't have:
A backup who just demonstrated that he can win.
Could Drew Lock Replace Sam Darnold?
If Darnold can't play, Lock is obviously going to be central to the conversation.
His Patriots performance gives Seattle some confidence.
He finished with:
187 passing yards
1 touchdown
0 interceptions
113.3 passer rating
And he led the comeback after Seattle fell behind 10-0.
That doesn't automatically mean Lock becomes Seattle's permanent starter.
But it does mean the Seahawks aren't entering the uncertainty empty-handed.
Sam Darnold Injury Timeline
Wednesday, September 9
Darnold starts Seattle's season opener against New England.
Opening drive
Darnold is sacked by Dre'Mont Jones and comes up limping.
Shortly afterward
He enters the medical tent and later heads toward the locker room.
Before halftime
Darnold is officially ruled out.
Postgame
Initial testing indicates no hip fracture.
Thursday, September 10
MRI evaluation is expected to provide more information.
September 20
Seattle is scheduled to visit the Arizona Cardinals for Week 2.
Sam Darnold Injury vs Drew Lock: What Happens Next?
This is now one of the biggest quarterback questions in the NFL.
If the MRI reveals a minor injury and Darnold returns quickly, the Seahawks could simply resume their original plan.
If Darnold needs time away, Lock becomes the immediate option.
And if Seattle's defense continues playing like it did against New England, the Seahawks may still be able to compete while Darnold recovers.
That's what makes this story so interesting.
The Seahawks won the game—but their biggest question remains unanswered.
Is Sam Darnold Out for the Season?
There is currently no confirmation that Sam Darnold is out for the season.
In fact, the initial testing ruled out a fracture, which is encouraging.
But the MRI is still important because the full extent of the hip injury hasn't been established publicly.
So don't confuse:
“Darnold was ruled out of the game”
with:
“Darnold is out for the season.”
Those are completely different things.
What Happens If Sam Darnold Can't Play?
The immediate answer is simple:
Drew Lock.
Lock just demonstrated that he can step into a difficult situation and lead Seattle to a win.
But Seattle's coaching staff will obviously want to know exactly how long Darnold could be unavailable before making a longer-term decision.
The MRI and practice reports will become the next major pieces of the puzzle.
Seahawks vs Patriots: The Bigger Story
The final score says 13-10.
But that doesn't explain how strange this game became.
Seattle raised its Super Bowl banner.
Then its starting quarterback got hurt.
The offense struggled.
New England took a 10-0 lead.
Drew Lock took over.
Seattle's defense suddenly exploded.
Three fourth-quarter interceptions changed the game.
And Josh Jobe finished it.
That's one hell of a season opener.
Sam Darnold Injury FAQs
What happened to Sam Darnold?
Sam Darnold suffered a right hip injury after being sacked by Patriots defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones during Seattle's opening drive. He left the game and was eventually ruled out.
Is Sam Darnold injured?
Yes. He suffered a right hip injury against New England.
Did Sam Darnold break his hip?
Initial X-ray and CT testing ruled out a hip fracture. Further evaluation, including an MRI, is needed.
Is Sam Darnold out for the season?
There is currently no confirmation that he is out for the season.
Is Sam Darnold playing Week 2?
His Week 2 status is currently uncertain. Seattle plays Arizona on September 20.
Why is Drew Lock playing?
Lock entered because Darnold left the game with his hip injury.
Who won Seahawks vs Patriots?
The Seattle Seahawks won 13-10.
Who won the NFL game last night?
The Seahawks defeated the Patriots 13-10 in the NFL's 2026 season opener.
What were Drew Lock's stats?
Lock completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
What were Drake Maye's stats?
Maye completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
Who caught the Seahawks touchdown?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a 45-yard touchdown from Drew Lock during Seattle's fourth-quarter comeback. He finished with eight catches for 122 yards.
The Bottom Line
Sam Darnold's night ended almost as soon as Seattle's 2026 season began.
But the latest news is more encouraging than the initial injury scare suggested.
There is no reported hip fracture from the initial imaging, but the MRI remains critical for determining what comes next.
And while Darnold's injury created a huge problem, Drew Lock and Seattle's defense produced an even bigger answer.
Seahawks 13. Patriots 10.
Now everyone is waiting for one thing:
What will Sam Darnold's MRI show?
This story will change as soon as Seattle provides the next medical update.
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