From Seattle Seahawks On SI · · 3m
Darnold's hip is out, and Seattle is probably fine
Sam Darnold misses Week 2 with an odd hip strain, and Seattle's schedule says that is survivable.
In brief
Sam Darnold misses Week 2 with an odd hip strain, and Seattle's schedule says that is survivable. Seattle can afford to sit Darnold through Arizona and Washington, but he needs to be healthy by the Chargers, 49ers and Broncos stretch in October. Originally reported by Seattle Seahawks On SI.
One drive, then gone
Seattle lost Sam Darnold after the first offensive drive of the Week 1 home game against New England. A hip injury, and a long afternoon of conflicting updates on whether he could return.
Not the worst news
The latest report calls it an unusual muscle strain in the hip. It probably will not land him on injured reserve, but nobody is putting a firm date on his return.
He sits Week 2
Darnold will miss the September 20 road game at Arizona. Seattle has now dodged the season-ending version of this scare more than once.
Do not rush him
The temptation is to get the starter back fast. Seattle will not push a player onto the field at less than full health in September, because a re-injured hip costs far more than one early win.
The league looks shaky
The Rams got blown out 27-7 by San Francisco in Australia on Thursday night. When the division is that unpredictable, a healthy franchise quarterback is the stability you protect.
“the Seahawks need as much stability as possible”
The win was a group effort
Seattle beat New England on the Dark Side Defense, the offensive line, contributions from the skill positions, and sharp second-half adjustments from the coaching staff.
Lock settled in
Drew Lock was rough early, then took hold of the offense and put together three good scoring drives. Not bad for a backup with almost no practice reps aimed at the Patriots.
Points left on the field
Mental errors cost Seattle roughly eight points. Getting players set to avoid delay of game falls on offensive coordinator Brian Fleury as much as on Lock.
“He could have had the offense score eight more points based on mental errors.”
Lock starts in Arizona
Seattle hands Week 2 to Lock, and the matchup forgives it. The Cardinals are tracking toward being one of the league's worst teams by January.
Arizona has not won since 2021
Seattle has taken 10 of the last 11 in this series, including the last nine straight. The Cardinals' most recent win over the Seahawks came on November 21, 2021.
A loss would be shocking
Rested, riding momentum, with a revamped defense, Seattle should handle this even without its starter. Losing to Arizona now would be the surprise of the week.
October is the real deadline
Arizona and Washington are manageable without him. The Chargers on October 4, the 49ers on October 11, and the Thursday night trip to Denver on October 15 are the games that need Darnold back.
Now it is on Lock
Seattle trusts him, which is what makes him a solid backup. With a full week of preparation, the job is simple: beat a bad team on the road.
The takeaway
Seattle can afford to sit Darnold through Arizona and Washington, but he needs to be healthy by the Chargers, 49ers and Broncos stretch in October.
