Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during warmup period against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
The vibes were great in Seattle to start Wednesday night as the Seahawks raised their Super Bowl banner, but things quickly turned sour during the season opener when Sam Darnold went down with a hip injury on the first drive of the game and did not return.
Of course, the concern immediately went to the long-term health of Darnold as Seattle's Super Bowl repeat hopes teetered in the balance just minutes into the season. After the game, he was undergoing further tests on his hip, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
“Sources: Seahawks QB Sam Darnold has been at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, undergoing a CT scan on his hip,” Schefter reported on X, formerly Twitter. “The initial test was encouraging but inconclusive, and Darnold now is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday.”
Thankfully, there was some good news on Darnold after the game. Head coach Mike Macdonald said that doctors do not believe that Darnold has a fracture in his hip.
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Drew Lock replaced Darnold after he left with the injury, and things were moving pretty slowly for a Seahawks offense that was shut out in the first half. Lock found a few big plays in the second half, one to Cooper Kupp and one to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and got the Seahawks over the line in a 13-10 win to open the season even without their starting QB.
While Darnold still might have to miss some time even if the injury is not serious, Lock at least showed that he can run the offense for a few weeks if needed. However, in order to make a real push in the NFC, the MRI will have to confirm Macdonald's update and he will have to be on the field sooner rather than later.
The Seahawks play the Arizona Cardinals and the Washington Commanders in the next two weeks, two games that Seattle likely thinks it can survive on the back of its defense. But this update is a very good sign for Darnold coming out of a scary season opener.