# Sam Darnold could return to Seahawks by Week 3

> Seattle's starting QB suffered a glute injury in Week 1 but may miss just one or two games.
- Title: Sam Darnold could return to Seahawks by Week 3 · Newsweek
- Summary: Seattle's starting QB suffered a glute injury in Week 1 but may miss just one or two games. Darnold's injury looked serious but is just a soft-tissue glute…
- Keywords: sam darnold, seattle seahawks, nfl, injury report, ian rapoport, week 3, washington commanders, new england patriots, glute injury, quarterback, Sam, Darnold
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/sports/nfl/seahawks-could-get-qb-sam-darnold-back-by-week-3-report-12447491
- Author: Keagan Stiefel
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sam darnold, seattle seahawks, nfl, injury report, ian rapoport, week 3, washington commanders, new england patriots, glute injury, quarterback
## Darnold could return Week 3
Seattle's QB left the season opener after one series but may be back in 17 days against Washington. Ian Rapoport says he'll probably miss one or two games.

> There is at least a chance he plays in that game
## Not a hip joint problem
The Seahawks initially called it a hip injury but later revealed it's a soft-tissue glute injury. His hip socket is completely unaffected.

> he hurt his butt, which is actually a great outcome because in the hip socket, it seems to be absolutely fine
## Looked worse than it was
The injury appeared serious on the field, leading to internet speculation about a Tua-like hip injury. Tests showed it's just a pulled muscle.

> it looked awful, and then the actual outcome, you get all the tests and it's like, eh, pulled a muscle
## Not like Tua's injury
Tua Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending dislocated hip and fracture at Alabama in 2019. Darnold's injury is nowhere near that severe.

> Everyone on the internet is basically assuming he's got like the Tua (Tagovailoa) injury. This was not that
## Conservative estimate: four weeks
Mike Garafolo believes the Seahawks are looking at about a four-week return. That would mean missing games against Arizona, Washington, and the Chargers.
## Key takeaway

Darnold's injury looked serious but is just a soft-tissue glute problem, not a hip joint issue, with a possible Week 3 return.