Speaking on Seattle Sports’ Brock & Salk show, Macdonald said, “The hip is intact, and it’s good. It’s more of a muscle thing. That’s good news. How long that is, we don’t know yet. It’s really, really good news. I’m really happy for Sam.” This marks a more positive trajectory than the initial assessment after Seattle’s 13-10 season-opening victory over the New England Patriots, when doctors ruled out a fracture but indicated additional imaging would be necessary.
Macdonald noted that the team was still processing medical information to determine prognosis. “We did get some results back. We’re still working,” he explained. “What I’m learning is you can get the scan and you find out it’s a thing. For me to give you a timeline right now, we’re still trying to figure out what the best prognosis is.” The head coach also acknowledged that Darnold experienced significant discomfort following the injury.
The injury occurred on Seattle’s opening possession when former Seahawks defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones brought Darnold down on a third-down sack. The quarterback limped off the field, was evaluated in the medical tent, and eventually left for the locker room before being ruled out for the game. The season’s first test was to determine whether there had been structural damage to the hip. The initial ruling that there was no fracture, combined with the newer assessment of a muscular issue, provides a more hopeful picture, even though it still means Darnold could miss time.
An unusual scheduling quirk could work in Seattle’s favor. After starting the season on September 9, the Seahawks do not play again until September 20, when they visit the Arizona Cardinals. That gives Darnold a 10-day window between games to recover before Seattle must finalize its quarterback plan for the next matchup.
If Darnold is unavailable for the game against Arizona, Seattle already has a clear contingency in place. Replacement quarterback Drew Lock stepped in for the opening possession and delivered a strong performance, completing 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown as Seattle erased a 10-0 deficit to win 13-10. Macdonald said he was surprised to see Darnold leave the field and immediately shifted his attention to Lock. “We have a ton of faith in Drew, and the guys do too,” he said, highlighting the trust the team has in its backup quarterback.
The Seahawks will, of course, prefer to have their starting quarterback available as they begin their campaign to defend their goal of a deep playoff run. The latest news—focusing on a muscular hip issue rather than a structural injury—offers a more optimistic outlook, but the ultimate determination on Darnold’s return will depend on ongoing evaluations and imaging results. The team remains cautiously hopeful that the recovery timeline will trend toward a quicker return, while continuing to monitor pain levels and mobility as testing progresses.
In the meantime, Seattle’s coaching staff will continue to evaluate all medical data and plan the offense accordingly. The next steps include further imaging and consultations with medical professionals to establish the best course of action for Darnold, balancing the need for a safe, effective return with the urgency of maintaining a competitive roster as they navigate the early portion of the season.
