Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold exited Wednesday’s season opener against the New England Patriots before halftime due to a hip injury. Backup quarterback Drew Lock replaced Darnold in relief as the Seahawks began their Super Bowl defense.
Seattle’s Super Bowl defense encountered an immediate setback during Wednesday’s season opener against the New England Patriots. Starting quarterback Sam Darnold sustained a hip injury during the opening drive and was ultimately ruled out before halftime. The Seattle Seahawks began their Super Bowl defense on Wednesday night by taking on the team they had to take down to lift the Lombardi Trophy, the New England Patriots. Despite both teams welcoming and saying goodbye to various players, plenty of familiar faces remain, and for the Seahawks, that includes their starting quarterback, Sam Darnold.
Sam Darnold Exits Season Opener With Hip Injury
The injury occurred during Seattle’s first offensive possession of the game, a five-play, 30-yard march, when Darnold was sacked on third down by Dre’Mont Jones. Trainers did not immediately attend to the quarterback on the sideline, but Darnold subsequently headed to the blue tent during New England’s opening possession. As the Seahawks’ offense took the field for its second series, Darnold was seen limping and wincing on the sidelines before walking back to the locker room. When the 29-year-old was leaving the field, he was seen limping as he made his way, which led to him wincing on the sidelines afterward. While he wasn’t reported to have any injury, the NBC broadcast later showed him heading into the tent and, shortly after, the locker room.
Prior to departing, Darnold completed one of two pass attempts for 13 yards across his five snaps on the opening drive. The game was scoreless with the Seahawks and Patriots knotted at 0 at the time of his injury, but by the time Seattle officially announced he would not return, New England held a 7-0 lead. Seattle initially deemed Darnold questionable to return before ruling the quarterback out shortly before halftime.
Drew Lock Takes Over Under Center for Seattle
With Darnold sidelined, backup quarterback Drew Lock entered the game in relief. Lock steps into action for a Seahawks squad looking to defend its championship title against the very opponent it defeated to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
Although Lock attempted only three passes last year for the champion Seahawks, he brings starting experience to the offense. In 2023, Lock did start two games and make four appearances for Seattle, going 1-1 with 543 passing yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions and a 63.2 completion percentage.
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