Sam Darnold Now Expected to Miss Significant Portion of Seahawks Season

The Seattle Seahawks' Week 1 victory over the New England Patriots came courtesy of backup quarterback Drew Lock stepping in to replace injured Sam Darnold. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Darnold may be sidelined for a significant portion of the season, between four to six weeks. Surgery is not being considered at this stage.

The team is opting for caution. Darnold could be undergoing multiple medical evaluations for the condition, which has been described as a glute issue initially thought to be a fractured hip socket. Despite the setback, Darnold played a crucial role in the Seahawks' Super Bowl win earlier this year, throwing for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

Lock, who has been with the team since 2025, came through in the clutch, completing 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown in the Seahawks' 13-10 win. With Darnold out, the Seahawks will rely heavily on their defense for the remainder of the season. A six-week absence would see Darnold miss roughly one-third of the regular season.

The Seahawks are set to face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, with additional games against teams such as the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs. For further NFL coverage, readers can refer to Newsweek Sports.