Darnold sustained the hip issue early in the Seahawks’ 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots, a rematch of Super Bowl LX. In Darnold’s absence, Seattle turned to backup quarterback Drew Lock, who stepped in and helped spark a fourth-quarter comeback from a 10-0 deficit. The shift at quarterback means the Cardinals’ preparation for Week 2 will focus on Lock and his tendencies rather than Darnold’s established play style.
This matchup marks Arizona’s first intradivision game under head coach Mike LaFleur. In recent seasons, the Cardinals have struggled within the NFC West, including a challenging stretch where they went 0-6 in two of the last three seasons and 3-15 overall against division rivals under former head coach Jonathan Gannon. With Week 2 approaching, Arizona will host the defending Super Bowl champions at State Farm Stadium on September 20, with a 1:25 p.m. Mountain Standard Time kickoff.
What Darnold’s absence means for the Cardinals
With Darnold sidelined, the Cardinals will prepare to face Drew Lock in Week 2. While the quarterback change simplifies some scouting tasks—since Lock’s recent play against New England is the most recent full game tape to study—the Cardinals still have a difficult task ahead. Seattle features a dynamic receiving duo, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, who can pose matchup challenges across multiple parts of the field. Kupp, in particular, is a dangerous playmaker, and Arizona is still fine-tuning its slot coverage with Denzel Burke and a recovering Garrett Williams.
Arizona’s first injury report suggested the defense was nearing full strength. If Will Johnson is a full participant and Josh Sweat returns to practice after a rest day, the unit could be closer to peak readiness for the Week 2 test. The health of Williams will be a key factor, as he has been building up after missing significant time during training camp while working back from an Achilles injury.
Drew Lock’s experience and Week 2 opponent
Lock, in his eighth season, showed efficiency in his most recent action against New England, completing 16 of 22 pass attempts for 187 yards and delivering a touchdown to Smith-Njigba. The Cardinals will need to study Lock’s tendencies, cover the Seattle pass game, and exploit any uncertainties in Seattle’s offense as Lock leads the offense against them.
Impact on the Cardinals’ Week 1 focus
Even with the Darnold news, Arizona remains focused on its Week 1 opponent—the Los Angeles Chargers. The season-opening game at SoFi Stadium will test head coach LaFleur’s new system against a high-powered Chargers offense led by quarterback Justin Herbert. The Cardinals will have to manage the challenge of slowing down Herbert and his weapons while preparing for the immediate shift to Lock in Week 2.
Looking ahead to Week 2, the Cardinals’ plan will center on containing Lock’s quarterback style and limiting the effectiveness of Seattle’s primary targets. The combination of a reshaped Seahawks offense and a formidable defensive front presents a dual challenge: adjust to a new quarterback while still executing the game plan against an opponent capable of exploiting any defensive gaps.
Injury and roster notes
Arizona’s ongoing evaluation of players returning from injury will influence Week 2 readiness. If Will Johnson is able to participate fully and if defensive standouts like Josh Sweat are back in action, the Cardinals could approach Week 2 with a stronger defensive presence. The status of Garrett Williams—who has been working back from an Achilles injury—will also be significant, as his recovery timeline could impact the team’s secondary depth against Seattle’s passing game.
Bottom line
The Week 2 matchup against Seattle presents a different challenge without Sam Darnold, but it remains a demanding assignment due to the Seahawks’ talent at the skill positions and the experience of Drew Lock. Arizona will aim to execute a disciplined game plan, optimize its pass coverage, and build on the defensive progress shown in early practices. With the Cardinals’ season still in its early stages, every week offers an opportunity to sharpen the scheme, test depth, and establish a competitive rhythm as they navigate a challenging NFC West schedule.
