Macdonald: Darnold's Hip Is Intact, But Timeline Still Unclear

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald delivered an encouraging update Thursday on Sam Darnold's hip injury, saying test results show the joint is "intact and good" after the quarterback went down hard in Wednesday night's season-opening win over the New England Patriots. Macdonald still can't say when Darnold will be back on the field.

Darnold left the game after just five plays, sacked by Dre'Mont Jones on the final snap of Seattle's opening drive. His right knee hit the turf awkwardly on the way down, and he limped to the sideline before heading to the locker room. He finished 1-for-2 passing for 13 yards. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Darnold was sent to Harborview Medical Center for a CT scan to gauge how serious the injury was.

Macdonald addressed reporters right after the game with a cautiously positive first read. "With Sam, we got some great news back," he said. "Let's just say it's good news right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sam. We love him, and the guys really pulled through for him." He said the medical staff had ruled out a fracture but that more testing was needed before a full diagnosis could be reached.

That additional testing came back a day later, and Macdonald shared the results on his weekly appearance on Seattle Sports 710AM. "We did get some results back," he said. "We're still trying to figure out what the best prognosis is, but the hip is intact and it's good. It's more of like a muscle thing. So that's good, that's the good news. Now how long that is, we don't know yet, but really good news. I'm really happy for Sam. But it is painful now, I know it hasn't been an easy night for him."

Asked whether Darnold might be ready for Seattle's Week 2 trip to Arizona, Macdonald said he didn't have an answer yet. "I don't know yet," he said. "In my mind I'm kind of thinking Drew's going to play, but no one has told me that, that's just kind of the way I'm thinking." That points toward backup Drew Lock getting the start against the Cardinals, though Macdonald stopped short of committing to it.

Ruling out a fracture is the outcome the Seahawks needed after the kind of hit Darnold absorbed, and Macdonald's tone reflected real relief rather than coach-speak. A muscle injury still carries uncertainty, and Macdonald was honest that nobody in the building has a firm number on the days or weeks involved. Seattle can afford to be patient with the answer given how the backup performed.

Lock Steps In and Delivers

Drew Lock took over for Darnold and was sharp in relief, completing 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, a 45-yard strike to Jaxon Smith-Njigba that helped fuel a comeback from a ten-point deficit. Seattle beat New England 13-10, a rematch of Super Bowl LX, when the Seahawks got a late assist from a Drake Maye interception that shut the door on the Patriots.

Macdonald had nothing but praise for his backup afterward. "Incredible," he said. "Yeah, I should have gave him a game ball. He'll get one tomorrow. He'll get something of mine. Maybe a belt." He added: "We love him. We love Drew. Guys love him. He's just a Seahawk through and through, man." Macdonald said he wanted Lock to feel the moment even though it came at Darnold's expense. "Anytime somebody's getting an opportunity, unfortunately, it's because somebody else isn't able to go. But you also want to feel excited for that player."

Macdonald also addressed two other inactives from Wednesday's game. Safety Nick Emmanwori and receiver Tory Horton had been limited in practice and listed as questionable, and both sat out. "They were good enough to practice, good enough to practice limitedly and be questionable for the game," Macdonald said. "Both looked great. Could they have played? Maybe. Would it have been the right thing to make that decision to make them play? Maybe not."

The Seahawks caught a break with Darnold's diagnosis, and Lock's performance showed the offense doesn't fall apart if he has to fill in again this week. Still, a starting quarterback dealing with a painful hip injury with no clear return date is not a situation to treat lightly, and Macdonald's cautious framing suggests the club knows it too.

More Info

• Mike Macdonald provides Sam Darnold injury update that Seattle Seahawks fans will love | hitc.com
• Mike Macdonald provides major update on Sam Darnold's injury following Seattle Seahawks win | sports.yahoo.com
• Mike Macdonald On Seattle Sports 710AM: Test On Sam Darnold's Hip Shows 'Really Good News' | Seahawks.com
• Seahawks' Mike Macdonald: 'We got some great news back' on Sam Darnold's hip injury | fox13seattle.com
• Coach Mike Macdonald gave Seahawks game balls to new owners, got good Sam Darnold news after opening win over Pats | thenewstribune.com