Sam Darnold 'Hurt His Butt,' Rapoport Says as New Injury Update Revealed in Seahawks Rumors

While Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold may be sidelined for the immediate future, he reportedly avoided a significant, season-ending injury during Wednesday's season-opening win over the New England Patriots.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Darnold will miss "probably a couple games" before adding, "they've been calling it a hip injury. My understanding is that it's actually a glute injury. So Darnold hurt his butt. It's a muscular injury not considered to be major."

Seattle doesn't want to be without its starting quarterback for any time, but there is surely an element of relief with this diagnosis.

Darnold exiting Wednesday's win over the Patriots with the injury he suffered on the team's opening possession overshadowed much of the game, at least from the Seahawks' perspective. Yet it seems like he will be back sooner rather than later, even if that means missing the next two games at the Arizona Cardinals and at the Washington Commanders.

The Seahawks showed the formula for treading water without Darnold as well against the Patriots.

Backup Drew Lock entered the game in the starter's absence and got the ball into his top playmaker's hands with the game on the line. He found Jaxon Smith-Njigba with a short pass on a fourth-down attempt in the fourth quarter, and the reigning Offensive Player of the Year did the rest of the work from there and burst past the defense for a touchdown.

Seattle also relied on its stout defense and picked off Drake Maye three times, including one from Josh Jobe in the end zone in the final seconds to clinch the win.

▶️ Pats-Seahawks Full Game Recap

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As long as Lock can manage the game by getting it to JSN and others while the defense continues to play at a high level, the reigning Super Bowl champions should be able to handle a short-term absence from Darnold.

And that will put them in an ideal position to challenge for another deep playoff run once he does return to the lineup.