The Seahawks’ quarterback Sam Darnold leaves Seattle’s 2026 season opener against the New England Patriots after sustaining a hip injury. The injury occurs early in the game, during the team’s first offensive drive.
Both reports say Darnold is sacked by Dre’Mont Jones, his former teammate. Darnold limps off the field and goes to the X-ray/assessment area. He does not return to play, and Drew Lock enters the game as the replacement quarterback.
The outlets frame the moment as an early concern for Seattle’s season, noting the team is focused on whether Darnold’s condition will allow him to continue. Neither report provides final medical results or a definitive timeline for his status. The common focus is the quick sequence—sack, injury exit, immediate replacement—and the resulting uncertainty for Seattle’s plans in the opener.
