Sam Darnold Returns With 379 Yards, but Pick-Six Ends Seahawks' 12-Game Winning Streak
Update: Darnold returned in Week 3 and threw for a career-high 379 yards and four touchdowns, but his fourth-quarter pick-six decided a 33-31 loss at Washington that ended Seattle's 12-game winning streak.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold injured his right hip on the fifth play of Wednesday's season opener, landing hard while being sacked by Dre'Mont Jones on third down, and did not return in the 13-10 win over New England.
What do the Seahawks know so far?
"At this point, we are able to rule out a fracture. So there's some more tests to be done," coach Mike Macdonald said. A CT scan at Harborview Medical Center was described as encouraging but inconclusive, with an MRI scheduled for Thursday. Macdonald said it was too early to say whether Darnold can play Sept. 20 at Arizona.
How did Drew Lock do?
Lock went 16 of 22 for 187 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers and one sack taken, enough for the reigning champions to beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl rematch on the strength of three interceptions of Drake Maye.
What did the tests show?
The Seahawks described the injury as a "very unique soft-tissue" issue in the right glute area, with the hip joint unaffected, and said it is a short-term injury not expected to sideline Darnold for long. No return date was given, but he will miss at least Week 2, so Lock is in line for his first start since 2024 when Seattle visits Arizona on Sept. 20.
What's the timeline now?
Seattle officially ruled Darnold out for Sunday at Arizona. "Don't anticipate putting him on IR ... but he won't play this week," Macdonald said. Sources told ESPN the injury, caused when his right knee hit the turf on the sack, is expected to keep him out three to four weeks, which points to Week 5 against San Francisco. Lock, 29, is 10-18 as a starter in his career. Safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle) and receiver Tory Horton (hamstring) practiced Wednesday after missing the opener, and safety Ty Okada (hamstring) has a chance to play.
Is Darnold ahead of schedule?
Yes, according to Macdonald, who said the timeline has "shifted quite drastically" and that Darnold could return to practice this week. "If Sam can play, he's going to play. If Sam can't play, then Drew will play. It's pretty simple." Lock went 19 of 26 for 235 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the 31-7 win at Arizona, all three to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who became the third player in franchise history with 150 yards and three touchdown catches in a game. "Really proud of Drew, really happy for him," Macdonald said.
When does he practice?
Wednesday, "in some capacity," Macdonald said Monday. "Right now, the plan is for him to be out there in some capacity, and we'll go from there." He said there is a chance Darnold plays against the Commanders and repeated that Lock's play won't decide it: "If Sam can play, he's going to play." Lock has completed nearly 73 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and no turnovers, and his Total QBR of 86.4 is fourth in the league through two weeks.
How did Wednesday go?
Darnold was limited in his first practice since the injury, with the workload set to build through the week. "I don't think we'd go into the weekend not knowing if he's going to play," Macdonald said, adding that the bar is whether Darnold feels able to play, not perfect health: "I don't know what fully healthy means." He said the only thing that would change the calculus is a risk of making the injury worse. Lock is 2-0 with a 73 percent completion rate, four touchdowns and no turnovers.
How did his return go?
Darnold went 31 of 45 for 379 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Seattle rallied from 14 down to tie the game at 24, then Commanders linebacker Kain Medrano intercepted a play-action throw intended for AJ Barner and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. "Just a bad decision. That's a ball I've got to throw away," Darnold said. The Seahawks turned it over three times, ran for 39 yards on 17 carries and did not force a turnover from Marcus Mariota, even though Washington gained only 258 yards. Macdonald said Darnold "kept us in the game." Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 10 catches for 128 yards and two scores.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Seahawks QB Darnold injures hip on opening drive vs. Patriots
- ESPN: Seahawks say Sam Darnold has 'unique soft-tissue' injury
- ESPN: Seahawks rule QB Sam Darnold (glute) out vs. Cardinals
- ESPN: Lock, Smith-Njigba have Seahawks 2-0 with Darnold ahead of schedule
- ESPN: Seahawks plan to have Sam Darnold back at practice Wednesday
- ESPN: Seahawks' Darnold 'on a good track' to play vs. Commanders
- ESPN: Sam Darnold laments 'bad decision' in return for Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks betting odds
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