The Seattle Seahawks got “really good news” about Sam Darnold’s hip injury, coach Mike McDonald said Thursday, although the timing of the quarterback’s return is still unclear.
“His hip is intact, and he’s good,” MacDonald said. “It’s like a muscle thing. So it’s good. So how long? We don’t know yet.”
McDonald said after Wednesday night’s game. Darnold left after five games.The team ruled out a possible hip fracture. On Thursday, Darnold took more tests that didn’t show any major concerns.
“We’re praying for Sam. But it’s not like we’re worried,” McDonald said.
The Seahawks beat the Patriots to start the 2026 NFL season
The Seahawks are rounded out by backup Drew Lock 13-10 victory for the PatriotsThey next play at the Arizona Cardinals on September 20th. Will Darnold be available?
“I don’t know yet. In my mind, I think Drew is going to play,” MacDonald said.
Darnold is entering the second phase of a $100.5 million deal after last season’s Super Bowl LX win over the Patriots. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to win 14 consecutive regular-season games against different teams — after posting the same record with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, he went 14-3 with the Seahawks last season.
The ninth-year pro completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2025.
Offensive player of the year Jackson Smith-Njigba said: “It’s hard to lose 14. “I mean it’s the head of the snake. But we have each other’s backs… We fully trust Drew Locke to step in and do his thing. He did it repeatedly.
As long as Darnold is sidelined, Locke will lead Seattle’s offense. He could start his first game in two years next week in Arizona. Locker last started an NFL game on January 5, 2025 against the New York Giants against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Lock finished 16 of 22 for 187 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots. He appeared in five games for Seattle last season, completing 2 of 3 passes for 15 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
The No. 42 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Locke hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2020, and has been prone to turnovers when he has been one. In the year In 2020, he started 13 games for the Denver Broncos, going 4-9 with an NFL-high 15 interceptions.
Locke said his mindset as a quarterback has changed since then and he’s willing to play a more conservative brand of football.
“We know the type of defense we have, so he doesn’t rush to push the ball up the field,” he said. “Let’s find ways to get our guys the ball. Now, I’ve never been a guy who’s afraid to make those throws when they’re out there.”
In 41 career games (28 starts), including nine in two stints with Seattle, Locke has completed 59.6 percent of his passes with 34 touchdowns and 28 interceptions.
Third-string quarterback Jalen Milroe could get some time on the field if Darnold is benched. Known as a special athlete, Milro, a second-year pro, can be used in special packages where he is given more opportunities to run but can also throw.
Adding to the variables, the Seahawks have a first-time coordinator in Brian Fleury. He and Lock worked together in two of Seattle’s three preseason games, with Lock completing 21 of 27 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
After Wednesday’s game, Locke was meeting Fleury’s connection, just as McDonald was excited about the backup quarterback’s play.
“He did a fantastic job all night,” Locke said of Fleury, adding that the players must work to avoid penalties. “We’ve got to be a little bit better on some of the procedural issues. That’s obvious.”