Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold’s 2026 season lasted one drive Wednesday night before a right hip injury knocked the defending Super Bowl champion out of the NFL opener against the New England Patriots at Lumen Field.

According to the Associated Press and NBC News, Darnold was sacked by Patriots defensive end Dre’Mont Jones on Seattle’s opening series, limped to the sideline, was evaluated in the medical tent, then went to the locker room for X-rays. The team first listed him as questionable, then ruled him out before halftime. There is no timetable for his return, NBC reported.

Backup Drew Lock replaced him. “We’ve got to pick him up. We’ve got faith in Drew,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald told NBC in a sideline interview. New England led 7–0 at halftime, NBC said.

Darnold was 1-of-2 for 13 yards before exiting, the AP reported via Sportsnet. The game was a rematch of Super Bowl LX, when Seattle beat New England 29–13. Darnold did not miss a game last season while throwing for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions and helping Seattle win a franchise-record 14 regular-season games.

Lock, 29, is in his second stint with Seattle after earlier stops with the Broncos, Seahawks, and Giants. He played only mop-up duty last season, the AP said.

Dated Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026: Darnold’s opener ended on the first series; Lock finished the night under center.

Sources