The Seahawks' worst nightmare happened on the first drive of the game.Facing third-and-6 at the Patriots' 46-yard line less than three minutes into the game, Sa
The Seahawks' worst nightmare happened on the first drive of the game.
Facing third-and-6 at the Patriots' 46-yard line less than three minutes into the game, Sam Darnold was sacked for a 5-yard loss.
But the prospect of having to punt the ball away to New England was the least of the Hawks' worries.
Darnold limped off the field and immediately went to the medical tent. He emerged, with the limp even more pronounced, a few minutes later and proceeded right to the locker room.
Darnold's day finished with one completed pass on two attempts for 13 yards. He was officially ruled out with a hip injury, according to the team.
Drew Lock entered the game for his first meaningful action as a Seahawk since 2023.
Jalen Milroe, the emergency third quarterback, will serve as the backup.
Darnold isn't just the starting quarterback who's won 31 games over the last two seasons with a Super Bowl ring; he's a leader of this Seahawks team and an extension of the coaching staff on the field.
While it's a bit early to speculate, if Darnold were to miss extended time, it would be a major loss for the Super Bowl champs moving forward.
However, there was an encouraging update later.
Coach Mike Macdonald said the team received "good news" about Sam Darnold's injury.
"With Sam, we got great news back. Let's just say it's good news right now. So I know still thoughts and prayers with Sam," Macdonald said, adding, "At this point, we were able to rule out a fracture. So there is some more testing to be done, and so that's what I'm saying when it's positive, so still working through all that. Right now I think fracture is out, which is great news."
Darnold is scheduled to receive an MRI Thursday; Macdonald is expected to address the media at 3 p.m. from the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, and we'll provide any update he's able to offer on Darnold.
