The Seattle Seahawks secured a gritty 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 1, but they did so without quarterback Sam Darnold, who exited early with an injury. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport clarified that Darnold is dealing with a muscular glute injury rather than a hip issue.

Adding context to the recovery process, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo took to X to provide an encouraging outlook on Darnold's return. He mentioned that, despite initial concerns about a multi-week absence, there is hope that Darnold could return to the field sooner than expected if his rehabilitation goes well.

From @gmfb: #Chiefs CB Mansoor Delane will undergo an MRI on his shoulder today, with the collective breath in Kansas City being held that it’s only a sprain. Plus, #Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s return to play in a few weeks and more. pic.twitter.com/9pYH2hbSUq

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 15, 2026

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However, the unusual nature of Sam Darnold's soft-tissue injury has led the Seahawks' medical staff to proceed with caution. According to FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, the team is seeking not just one, but four second opinions on Darnold's glute injury to properly evaluate a potential tendon issue. While fears of a season-ending hip socket fracture have been ruled out, the Seahawks are gathering multiple expert evaluations to establish a clear recovery plan before allowing their starting quarterback to return to action.