Seahawks QB Sam Darnold avoids worst-case outcome after hip injury scare, MRI pending final review

Seattle’s season opener against the New England Patriots took a tense turn Wednesday night when quarterback Sam Darnold hurt his hip on a third-down sack during the team’s first possession. Darnold limped off, was evaluated in the medical tent, and then headed to the locker room, unable to return to the game.

Head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters after the contest that the early indications were encouraging, and that the club had essentially ruled out a fracture. The next step was imaging to determine the full extent of the injury.

That MRI took place Thursday morning, and while team doctors are still working through the results to establish a timetable, the early read is positive. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, one source within the organization described the outcome by saying Seattle “dodged a bullet.” The expectation is that Darnold will miss some time, but the fear of a season-altering injury appears to have subsided.

In the meantime, the Seahawks appear set to lean on veteran Drew Lock. The backup stepped in against New England and delivered an efficient performance, completing 16 of 22 pass attempts for 187 yards and a touchdown while guiding Seattle to a 13-10 victory.

Seattle’s upcoming slate includes road trips to Arizona and Washington before a home date with the Los Angeles Chargers — a stretch where continuity at quarterback will matter regardless of how long Darnold sits.

Media and market angle

Injuries to marquee quarterbacks ripple beyond the field. National broadcasts and media partners that carry Seahawks games — including The Walt Disney Company, whose ESPN network broke the MRI news — track the availability of headliners closely, since star quarterbacks can affect viewership for marquee windows. Disney shares traded at $105.16 on Thursday, up 0.94% from the prior close of $104.18, valuing the company at roughly $181.8 billion. Its sports division remains a key distribution channel for NFL content, including the “Monday Night Football” package.

What to watch

• Seattle’s official announcement on Darnold’s status and a timeline once team doctors finish reviewing the MRI.
• Practice participation reports ahead of the Cardinals matchup to gauge whether Lock gets the start.
• Any roster moves, including whether the Seahawks add quarterback depth behind Lock.
• Updates from Macdonald’s next scheduled press availability.

Source: original release