Overview
- Sam Darnold exited the season opener after five snaps on Wednesday, Sept. 9, and did not return while medical testing was carried out.
- Team scans and coach Mike Macdonald indicate the problem is a glute/tendon muscular strain rather than a fractured hip, with the hip described as structurally intact.
- NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Darnold will likely miss at least Week 2 and “probably a couple games,” and FOX’s Jay Glazer says the team is obtaining multiple second opinions to set a clear timetable.
- Seattle has not placed Darnold on injured reserve and will start veteran Drew Lock next week; Lock completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown in relief during Week 1.
- Keeping Darnold on the active roster preserves roster flexibility because IR would require a minimum four‑game absence, but a multiweek layoff would still reduce Seattle’s offensive ceiling against upcoming division opponents.