Seahawks Call Sam Darnold's Injury a 'Very Unique' Short-Term Glute Issue, Not Hip Damage

The Seahawks clarified on Monday that quarterback Sam Darnold is dealing with a soft-tissue injury to his gluteus muscle rather than any damage to his hip joint. A team spokesperson called the injury "very unique" and said the club expects Darnold's absence to be short-term, though no firm timetable exists yet for his return.

That update matters because of how the injury looked when it happened. Darnold went down just five plays into Seattle's season opener against the New England Patriots after former Seahawk Dre'Mont Jones sacked him with his knee bent at a 90-degree angle to the turf, a hit that appeared to send force straight up into his hip. The sight of Darnold limping off the field raised fears of a hip fracture, but X-rays and scans taken after the game ruled that out.

Head coach Mike Macdonald sounded relieved when he addressed the injury last Thursday. "It's been positive news," Macdonald said. "Right now we're just working through the extent of the injury and put a plan in place to get back rocking and rolling."

No Timeline, But Some Encouraging Signs

Darnold showed up at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Monday, though he stayed off the practice field with the rest of the team. The Seahawks have not brought in any outside quarterbacks for tryouts since the injury, which suggests the organization is not bracing for a lengthy absence.

Reports before the team's official statement had suggested a possible four-to-six-week absence, a window that would have made a trip to injured reserve worth considering. The Seahawks' description of the injury as short-term appears to rule that move out for now. Other reporting has pointed to a possible return as early as Week 3, though nothing is confirmed.

Lock Gets the Ball Again

With Darnold already ruled unlikely to play, Drew Lock is set to start Sunday when Seattle faces the Arizona Cardinals. Lock stepped in for the injured Darnold in Week 1 and went 16-of-22 for 187 yards and a touchdown as the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks rallied for a 13-10 win over New England. Jalen Milroe served as the third quarterback that night and would presumably slide into the backup role behind Lock while Darnold recovers. Seattle's schedule turns next to the Washington Commanders after the Arizona game.

Given how the hip fracture scare played out compared to what the team is now describing, the calm tone from Macdonald and the front office reads as genuine rather than spin. A glute strain, even one the team is calling unusual, is a far better outcome than what many feared walking out of that Patriots game. The real test is whether Darnold responds quickly enough to treatment to be back within a few weeks rather than a few months, and right now the Seahawks are betting he will be.

More Info

• Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold's glute injury considered short term | 'The NFL Report' | nfl.com
• Seattle Seahawks say Sam Darnold absence expected to be short-term with 'very unique' muscle injury | FOX 13 Seattle Sports
• Seahawks say Sam Darnold has ‘very unique soft-tissue’ but ‘short-term’ injury | Field Gulls
• Seahawks QB Sam Darnold Dealing With Glute Injury - NFL Rumors | profootballrumors.com