Sam Darnold was injured five plays into the season opener against the Patriots. Jane Gershovich / Getty ImagesSept. 14, 2026 7:36 pm EDT Updated Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is unlikely to land on injured reserve with a glute injury, though his return timeline remains unclear, leaving his status up in the air for Week 2’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.A Seahawks spokesperson said Monday that Darnold, who was injured during Wednesday night’s 13-10 win against the New England Patriots, is dealing with a “very unique, soft-tissue injury” that is “short-term,” but added there is “no firm timeline.” The Seahawks face the Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday.The team originally called Darnold’s issue a hip injury, but the spokesperson said Monday that the hip joint was unaffected. Coach Mike Macdonald has called the injury “more like a muscle thing.”
Avoiding injured reserve would mean Darnold, who departed Wednesday’s game after only five plays, is likely to return within the next four games.During Monday’s practice, backup Drew Lock and third-stringer Jalen Milroe were the only quarterbacks on the field. The Seahawks’ next practice will be Wednesday.This story will be updated.
