Sam Darnold sidelined after hip injury on Seahawks' season debut

Seattle’s starting quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury during the first offensive series of the season‑opening matchup with the New England Patriots and was ruled out for the game, ESPN reported. The injury occurred on the opening drive, prompting team medical staff to immobilize the player and transport him to the locker room for evaluation.

Following the incident, the Seahawks announced that Darnold would undergo magnetic resonance imaging to determine the severity of the hip trauma. The team said the scan results would be reviewed before deciding on a timeline for his return, leaving the quarterback’s status for the rest of the season uncertain.

Darnold, a former first‑overall pick in 2020, entered Seattle after two seasons in New York and a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers. The Seahawks acquired him in the offseason hoping his arm strength and mobility would revitalize a offense that struggled to find consistency last year. His early exit in the opener marks the first time a Seahawks quarterback has missed a season‑opening snap due to a non‑contact injury since the franchise’s move to the NFC West.

The loss forces Seattle to rely on its backup, who will now shoulder the offensive play‑calling against a Patriots defense that has been solid in the early part of the 2024 campaign. For New England, the development could tilt the balance of a tightly contested game, as they look to capitalize on the sudden change in Seattle’s offensive rhythm.

The next steps involve a detailed MRI review, after which the Seahawks will decide whether Darnold can return later in the week or will be placed on injured reserve. Historically, hip injuries of this nature can sideline a quarterback for several weeks, depending on whether the damage is muscular, ligamentous, or involves a fracture. Fans and analysts will be watching closely for any updates on his condition as the team prepares for its second game.