Sam Darnold ruled out vs. Patriots with hip injury

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday night’s NFL season-opener against the Patriots, the team announced during the second quarter.

Darnold appeared to suffer a hip injury on the opening drive when he was sacked by Dre’Mont Jones. Drew Lock took over for Darnold following the injury and the Seahawks were held scoreless in the first half.

“Well, we’ve got to pick him up,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said of Lock during NBC’s broadcast. “We’ve got faith in Drew, and he’s settled into the game now, so we should be able to execute our game plan. But that’s why we say 12 is one. We’ve got to pick him up.”

NBC reported that Darnold tried to wave trainers away when they went over to check on him. He was able to get up, but eventually started walking with a limp. He was taken to the blue medical tent, and then to the X-Ray room. Seattle determined just before halftime that he wouldn’t be able to play.

Darnold has played in all 17 regular season games each of the last two seasons. He made the Pro Bowl both years.

The 2018 first-round pick has experienced a breakthrough in Seattle, leading the Seahawks to a championship last season. His previous stints with the Jets, Panthers, and 49ers, were less successful. He had a breakout year with the Vikings in 2024 before taking over in Seattle last year.

Khari A. Thompson

Sports Reporter

Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.