The Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl defense began with an immediate setback as quarterback Sam Darnold exited their season opener against the New England Patriots with a hip injury. The incident occurred on Seattle's first offensive drive of Wednesday's game.
Darnold sustained the injury after being sacked on a third-down play inside Patriots territory. He was taken to the blue medical tent and subsequently returned to the Seahawks' locker room. Backup quarterback Drew Lock entered the game for Seattle's second offensive drive. The Seahawks later announced Darnold was questionable to return with a hip injury.
Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, had led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title in the previous season against the same Patriots team. The early injury to their starting quarterback casts a shadow over the team's initial aspirations for the new season.