Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold found himself back in the locker room with an injury, merely five snaps into the new NFL season. During the Seahawks’ first series, Darnold was sacked by New England Patriots linebacker Dre’Mont Jones. He appeared to land awkwardly on his side, leading to a noticeable limp.

As the Seahawks prepared to punt, Darnold opted for the blue medical tent. The team’s medical staff deliberated, and Darnold eventually limped to the locker room. Commentator Mike Tirico, covering the NFL’s first game of the year, mentioned Darnold’s gait during the broadcast. His absence since then underscores his importance to the Seahawks franchise.

Sam Darnold played a key role in the Seahawks lifting a new Super Bowl banner recently, defeating the Patriots in February. His presence stirs hopes of another successful season. Last year, Darnold revitalized his career with a 14-3 record at the Minnesota Vikings, before achieving the same regular-season record in Seattle in 2025. He amassed 4,048 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, completing 67.7% of passes.

The postseason saw Darnold throw five touchdowns with zero interceptions across the Seahawks’ victories. With Drew Lock stepping in as quarterback, the team hopes Darnold’s injury isn’t serious enough to sideline him for long. Lock has experience backing up Darnold in 2025 and had five starts with the New York Giants in 2024. His career record includes 28 starts and a 10-18 record, with 6,369 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions.

The Seahawks fan base awaits updates on Darnold’s condition, hoping for a swift recovery.