Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is recovering faster than expected from his glute tendon injury, with a Week 4 return now more likely a target.
The [Seattle Seahawks could have Sam Darnold back sooner](https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/seahawks-rumors-sam-darnold-gets-4-week-injury-return-timetable-with-a-catch) than expected. The starting quarterback is recovering from a glute tendon injury, and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Darnold has progressed faster than the team initially anticipated.
Darnold suffered the injury just five snaps into Seattle’s Week 1 game against the New England Patriots. Though it initially looked like a hip injury, it was later diagnosed as a glute tendon issue. He was earlier expected to miss at least four to six weeks.
However, there is now a chance that the [timeline will be shortened](https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2101660866802294912).
“My understanding is he is recovering faster than anyone had anticipated,” Rapoport said on NFL GameDay. “There is actually a pretty good chance that Darnold is back at practice in some form or fashion this week coming. Now, could he play Week 3? Possible, little bit of a stretch, but possible. Week 4 seems like the more likely target for Sam Darnold.”
Rapoport earlier clarified that Darnold did not suffer the type of structural hip injury that some initially feared after watching him leave the field.
“(Darnold's injury was) kind of jarring and weird and strange, but he hurt his butt, which is actually a great outcome because in the hip socket, it seems to be absolutely fine,” Rapoport earlier said. “Everyone on the internet is basically assuming he's got like the Tua injury. This was not that, or not even close.”
Darnold could potentially return to practice this week as the Seahawks have not placed him on injured reserve, which keeps that possibility open.
Drew Lock has taken over under center during Darnold’s absence as a temporary option while the starter continues his recovery.
The Week 3 matchup with Washington remains an aggressive target, while Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers could provide a more realistic return window. Seattle will continue monitoring Darnold’s progress before deciding when he is ready to return.