Sources: Seahawks' Sam Darnold expected to miss Week 2

Sam Darnold is expected to miss the Seahawks' Week 2 game at Arizona on Sept. 20 due to a hip injury, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, even though coach Mike Macdonald said Thursday the quarterback received "really, really good news" about the injury.

Darnold underwent an MRI on his right hip Thursday morning after getting hurt on the opening possession of Wednesday night's game against the Patriots. Macdonald said the hip is intact and the injury appears to be more muscular. "The hip is intact and it's good," Macdonald said. "It's more of a muscle thing. So that's good news. Now, how long that is, we don't know yet. But really, really good news. So we're really happy for Sam."

Sources told ESPN and NFL Network that Darnold should be back sooner rather than later and that Seattle has "dodged a bullet." A source told ESPN's Brady Henderson that Darnold spent the night in the hospital, in part because of how much discomfort he was in. "It is painful," Macdonald said. "Hasn't been an easy night for him."

Backup Drew Lock took over after Darnold's exit and rallied the Seahawks to a 13-10 victory over the Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX opponents. Macdonald said Thursday he's "kind of thinking" Lock will start against the Cardinals next week, "but no one has told me that." The Seahawks are scheduled to host the Commanders in Week 3 on Sept. 27.

Lock, 29, spent the 2022 and '23 seasons as Geno Smith's backup after the Seahawks acquired him from the Broncos in the Russell Wilson trade, then returned to Seattle in 2025. He attempted only three passes over five appearances last season while Darnold started every game on his way to a second straight Pro Bowl selection. Since entering the NFL as a second-round pick in 2019, Lock has a 10-18 record as a starter.