The Commanders’ depth chart took a hit following Daniels’ injury, which appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario. For this game, the primary backup behind Mariota will be rookie Athan Kaliakmanis.

Things appear to be much clearer for the Seahawks, especially with Darnold’s return. The primary alternative at the position is Drew Lock, who played a significant role in Weeks 1 and 2, while Jalen Milroe sits further down the QB room.

Daniels’ status is week-to-week

It was a scary moment for Washington during their Week 2 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys when Jayden Daniels went down with a dislocated left elbow right before halftime while trying to brace his fall. Fans were bracing for the worst—especially given his past elbow troubles—but the latest medical evaluations brought some relief, ruling out IR for now.

He is currently considered week-to-week, and while surgery isn’t immediately on the table as he attempts a quick return, medical experts suggest a potential procedure at the end of the season might still be needed to fix ligament joint laxity once and for all.

Darnold’s highly anticipated return

The Seahawks held their breath in the season opener against the New England Patriots when Sam Darnold went down after taking a heavy sack on the very first drive. What was initially feared to be a serious hip or leg issue turned out to be a weird soft-tissue glute injury, which kept him sidelined for Week 2 against Arizona.

Fortunately for Seattle, Drew Lock stepped in and kept the offense humming, leading his team to a 2-0 record and keeping them among the top contenders in the NFC.

Key takeaways

• Marcus Mariota will start for Washington, while Sam Darnold returns as Seattle’s primary quarterback.
• Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis will serve as the Commanders’ primary backup quarterback behind Mariota.
• Jayden Daniels is considered week-to-week after suffering a dislocated left elbow against Dallas.

“Right now the plan is for him to be out there in some capacity, and we’ll go from there,” Macdonald said, via the team’s website. “How much? We’ll see from here to Wednesday what that number is, but right now that’s the goal.”

Fortunately for the coach, Drew Lock stepped up and performed very well. The Seahawks opened the season 2-0, and their pursuit of back-to-back titles is looking stronger than ever.

A bitter debut for Darnold

Sam Darnold‘s season opener with the Seahawks ended almost as soon as it started. Just five snaps into Seattle’s opening drive against the Patriots, he took a heavy hit on a third-down sack by Dre’Mont Jones and ended up with a right hip/glute injury as his leg took the brunt of the turf impact.

He limped straight off the field, headed into the blue tent, and was ultimately ruled out for the rest of the night after completing just 1 of 2 passes for 13 yards. Drew Lock had to step in and steady the ship to secure a tight win, but seeing the QB1 forced to the locker room on drive number one definitely sent a quick shockwave through the Seattle faithful.

Lock rises to the occasion

Drew Lock has been remarkably solid guiding the Seahawks to a 2-0 start. Over his first two appearances, he’s completed 35 of 48 passes (a sharp 72.9% completion rate) for 422 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, posting a stellar passer rating.

After game-managing a tight 13-10 win over New England with 187 yards and 1 TD, he popped off in Week 2 against Arizona Cardinals, slinging 235 yards and 3 scores in a 31-7 blowout. He hasn’t turned the ball over once, keeping Seattle’s offense steady and moving while QB1 recovers.

What’s next for Seattle?

The Seahawks hit the road on Sunday, September 27 to take on the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. After that east-coast trip, they head right back to Seattle for a two-game home stand, first hosting the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, October 4 at Lumen Field, followed by a massive divisional clash against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, October 11, also at Lumen Field.

Key takeaways

• Sam Darnold will return to practice in some capacity on Wednesday.
• The quarterback suffered a right hip/glute injury on his fifth snap against New England.
• Replacement passer Drew Lock recorded 422 passing yards and four touchdowns across two victories.

Darnold was injured just five snaps into the season opener when he was taken down on a sack and immediately showed discomfort. He initially went to the sideline for evaluation before leaving the game, with Drew Lock taking over at quarterback and helping Seattle secure the victory.

The Seahawks later clarified that Darnold’s hip joint was unaffected and described the injury as a “very unique soft-tissue injury” involving his glute. The team does not consider the injury long-term, but Darnold has not recovered quickly enough to return against Arizona.

Is Sam Darnold playing today for Seahawks against Cardinals?

No, Sam Darnold is not playing today against the Cardinals. Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that Darnold would miss Week 2, but the good news for Seattle is that the team does not anticipate placing its starting quarterback on injured reserve.

That means the Seahawks can continue monitoring Darnold’s recovery without committing to a lengthy absence. Macdonald said Darnold is progressing well and expressed optimism about his return, although he did not provide a specific timetable.

Drew Lock will start in Darnold’s place after stepping in during the season opener. Jeremy Fowler previously reported that Darnold could possibly miss Week 3 as well, while more recent reports have pointed to Week 4 as a more likely return target. Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers is also a potential target if Seattle takes a more cautious approach, but there is no official return date yet.

When asked about Darnold, Macdonald said “He’s on his way back. Is it next week? Is it the week after, the week after that? I’m not sure. I’m optimistic, put it that way.” Hence, no return date has been established yet, but all things point to a great evolution by Darnold.

In the meantime, the Seahawks will have to face divisional rivals Cardinals without their Super Bowl-winning signal-caller. They already beat the Patriots without Darnold, but that doesn’t make it easy.

How did Drew Lock play vs Patriots?

With Drew Lock basically a sure starter in Week 2, the fact is that he wasn’t stellar in Week 1, but he was effective enough. At the end of the game, the Seahawks won and the Patriots fell to 0-1.

Lock completed 16/22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. However, his main mission was not to turn the ball over, and he accomplished that. As long as Lock doesn’t give away the ball, the Seahawks defense can manage to win football games.

The Cardinals are off an emotional win

No one saw the Cardinals winning away at the Chargers in Week 1, but they looked composed and ready to go. They pulled off the upset of the week and now are in a crash-down spot.

Usually, teams off an emotional, unlikely win tend to crash down during the next game. Hence, the Cardinals need to battle that moment as they face the Seahawks, who had a long week to prepare for this game.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Darnold is expected to miss next week’s game vs. Cardinals, and could maybe miss the Week 3 game vs Commanders. However, that is still a positive outlook for both Seahawks and quarterback.

Darnold was feared to suffer an injury that could put him on the injury reserve list (IR). Having said that, missing just one-to-two games could put Darnold back on the field in relative quick time.

Sam Darnold’s injury was very unfortunate

Sam Darnold is a story of resiliency. From being a third overall pick to being labeled as a disappointment, only to revive his career in great fashion and ending up winning a Super Bowl with Seattle.

After all that, one could say this Week 1 as a Super Bowl champ was a game Darnold was very excited to play. In just five plays, he was injured. It’s just another roadblock in the career of a player who has never given up.

The Seahawks avoided a dreaded case of needing a QB

What an NFL contender never wants is to see its starting quarterback go down. If the injury is serious, their Super Bowl case goes down the drain. However, by avoiding the worst-case scenario, the Seahawks have to stay afloat for a couple of games and resume their title defense.

If Darnold had a multi-week or a season-ending injury, the Seahawks would’ve definitely needed to trade or seek for a new signal-caller in free agency if a deep playoff run was still on their mind. While Drew Lock managed to win the game, the fact is he is not an elite QB that can carry a franchise.

Seahawks backup quarterback Lock was next in the quarterback depth chart of the Seattle Seahawks and took over the main duties. Though Darnold was ruled out of the game with a hip injury following a hit from a Patriots‘ defensive lineman, there may be no reason to panic in the Emerald City.

“With Sam [Darnold], we got some great news back. Let’s just say it’s good news right now,” Macdonald said about the injured quarterback who left the season opener after the opening offensive drive.

“Sam Darnold received positive news following his CT scan and coach Mike Macdonald said doctors ruled out a fracture. He’ll have an MRI tomorrow for more info, but the belief after an X-Ray and CT scan is Darnold avoided major injury,” Ian Rapoport reported. “MRI will be the final word.“

Injuries were major topic in NFL’s curtain raiser

In his first start of the 2026 NFL season, Darnold only managed to throw two pass attempts, completing one for a 13-yard gain to star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Now, his status going forward remains uncertain, but it seems disaster has been averted.

The Patriots may not be able to say the same about A.J. Brown, who left the game with an ankle injury. The Seahawks were already without Zach Charbonnet in Week 1 against the Patriots and to start the new season, losing their star QB would rub salt in their wounds.

Seahawks face QB trouble in depth chart

Against the Patriots, Jalen Milroe served as the Seahawks’ third and emergency quarterback. The second-year quarterback out of Alamaba has yet to throw a pass in his NFL career. Because he was the emergency QB, Milroe could only enter the game if Lock suffered an injury.

Early signs suggest otherwise, but if Darnold’s injury still, somehow, turns out to be serious, Mike Macdonald and company will have to go shopping early for a quarterback in the 2026 NFL season. Even if they trust Lock, the Seahawks will need depth options.

Darnold injury could derail the season

Injuries happen and affect every team across the 18-week NFL season. However, losing the starting quarterback on the opening drive of Week 1 is unlike anything anyone could have seen coming.

As if Seattle didn’t know that going back-to-back in the league is a hard task, it was reminded right away. Just as the Super Bowl championship banner went up, the franchise quarterback went down injured. The champions put their pedigree to good use, though. They weathered the storm, came away with a crucial Week 1 victory, and may have dodged a major bullet with Darnold’s health.

What about the main backups behind these stars? For the Seahawks, Drew Lock will be Mike Macdonald’s first alternative at quarterback. Meanwhile, Mike Vrabel’s Patriots will have veteran Tommy DeVito as their top backup option.

Both teams have something in common heading into their season opener. Seattle and New England opted to protect their starting QB’s during the preseason, as neither Darnold nor Maye saw any playing time throughout the exhibition games.

Super Bowl LX rematch

The Seahawks and Patriots were the protagonists of the most recent Super Bowl, which ended with a 29–13 victory for the NFC side. This Week 1 matchup could represent a chance at revenge for the Foxborough team, although many may not see it that way, viewing it instead as a fresh start for both teams.

The 2026 NFL season kicks off

Nearly 69,000 fans are expected to attend the opening game of the 2026 NFL season starting on Wednesday, as both Seahawks and Patriots look to get their campaigns off to a winning start. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 PM ET, with temperatures expected to be around 73.4°F at game time.

Key absences on both teams

The injury report for this matchup features two notable absences, one for each team. For the Seahawks, starting safety Ty Okada will miss the game due to a hamstring injury, while the Patriots will be without one of their key running backs, as TreVeyon Henderson is also sidelined with an ankle injury.

Sam Darnold, however, already proved last season that he can be the franchise quarterback Seattle envisioned. With Darnold leading the offense and a defense capable of carrying the team through difficult games, the Seahawks believe they have a legitimate chance to make another deep playoff run.

That is precisely why Darnold will not be playing today against the Tennessee Titans. Head coach Mike Macdonald has little reason to expose his starting quarterback to unnecessary preseason contact, particularly with the regular season approaching and the Seahawks opening their campaign earlier than most teams.

Why isn’t Sam Darnold playing against the Titans?

Sam Darnold’s absence is a precautionary decision. The Seahawks already know what they have in their starting quarterback, so there is little to gain from giving him additional preseason snaps and plenty to lose if he were to suffer an injury.

Seattle’s quarterback room also appears much more settled than those of several other NFL teams. Darnold is firmly established as the starter, meaning the preseason is primarily about evaluating the players behind him rather than determining who will lead the offense when the games count.

The timing makes the decision even more understandable. The Seahawks will open the regular season on September 9 against the New England Patriots, giving Macdonald another reason to prioritize Darnold’s health and preparation over preseason reps.

Who is starting quarterback today for Seahawks vs Titans?

With Sam Darnold sitting out, Drew Lock is expected to start at quarterback against Tennessee. Lock should receive several series as the Seahawks give their veteran backup an opportunity to run the offense in live-game conditions.

After Lock’s work is complete, Jalen Milroe could take over. Milroe is one of the most intriguing young players on Seattle’s roster and will use the preseason to continue developing behind Darnold.

The matchup therefore gives the Seahawks a chance to evaluate their depth without putting their most important offensive player at unnecessary risk. Lock’s experience and Milroe’s upside offer Seattle two very different options behind Darnold.

Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 reported that Mike Macdonald said “Sam’s not going to play” vs. the Cowboys. Not only that, but Macdonald also confirmed who will start. “Drew [Lock] will start the game, and then Jalen will come in, and they’ll rotate to some degree.” Sam Darnold is now a valuable asset.

Not only Darnold, but newly-drafted rookie Jadarian Price won’t play so the running back room will also rotate. Hence, plenty of the Seattle Seahawks who won the Super Bowl will rest.

Is Dak Prescott playing for Cowboys vs Seahawks?

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer also stated that no Cowboys starters will be playing vs Seahawks. Meaning, Dak Prescott won’t see any action in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL Preseason.

Joe Milton III and Sam Howell are going to be splitting reps throughout the majority of the preseason. Milton and Howell are both known for their strong arms, so the offense will be explosive.

Both offenses have to prove stuff

Seattle lost its offensive coordinator and their best running back. Hence, the team needs to prove the offense won’t suffer any setbacks. Of course, during preseason, most starters won’t be playing, so it will have to wait until regular season.

As for Dallas, when Prescott plays, paired with weapons like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens should be as explosive as ever. After all, they are arguably the best 1-2 punch in the NFL. The offense, however, must prove it can go all the way.

“It feels like a revamp, a new energy in the building, honestly,” he said via the team’s official website. “It feels good to put the past behind us and really focus on the future. On right now in front of us, that’s attacking training camp, and I can just tell by the vibe of the guys, talking to them in the locker room, we’re ready for that. We’re ready for the next thing. It’s awesome to be here now.”

Despite Kenneth Walker III’s departure to the Kansas City Chiefs, Mike Macdonald was able to retain key players such as JSN, as well as Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp. It will be time to see, once the ball hits the gridiron, whether this team has everything required to achieve back-to-back titles.

Thinking ahead: The Seahawks’ message

Mike Macdonald is determined to keep his team competitive and focused on the upcoming season. Dwelling too much on past accomplishments does little to help a team achieve its goal of winning again. Cooper Kupp, one of the most experienced players on the roster, understands the importance of continuing to look ahead.

“The league moves on, just like life,” Kupp said. “Things happen, and shoot, the clock keeps ticking, life keeps moving forward. You’ve got to be able to adapt and move, and it’s the same way with football. Football keeps going, keeps growing, keeps changing, and you can’t be complacent.

“If you get stuck celebrating for too long, you’re going to be in trouble. Guys have done a great job of really just moving on. At the end of the day, it’s, what can you learn from last year? How does it apply to this year? Let’s take it and make it come to life.”

Sam Darnold’s offensive weapons

Sam Darnold managed to keep his two primary receiving weapons, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, while Rashid Shaheed rounds out the receiving corps as another key target.

In the backfield, despite his injury, Zach Charbonnet remains the top option although he is expected to miss at least a portion of the season. Seattle also added two more offensive players in the latest NFL Draft: Emmanuel Henderson Jr. and Jadarian Price.

The first steps toward defending the title

The Seattle Seahawks will be looking to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles, something that is extremely difficult to accomplish in the NFL. To do so, getting off to a strong start in the 2026 season will be crucial.

• Week 1, vs New England Patriots
• Week 2, at Arizona Cardinals
• Week 3, at Washington Commanders
• Week 4, vs Los Angeles Chargers
• Week 5, vs San Francisco 49ers

According to insider Mike Garafolo via his X account, the opponent for Sam Darnold‘s Seahawks will come from these four candidates: the Arizona Cardinals, the New England Patriots, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Chicago Bears.

For the second time in NFL history, the season will begin on a Wednesday, in this case on September 9. An international game led to this change in the schedule.

The Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers will play a game in Australia for the first time, a country with a 14-hour time difference compared to the U.S. West Coast. The matchup will take place on Thursday, September 10, at 8:35 p.m. ET for viewers in the United States.

Seahawks will look to achieve a back-to-back title

Retaining the title and winning another Super Bowl is the main goal for the Seattle Seahawks. The task will not be easy due to the tough schedule ahead. They will host difficult opponents such as the Kansas City Chiefs, the New England Patriots, as well as the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.

Traveling will also be far from easy for Mike Macdonald’s team. In addition to its divisional matchups, it will have to visit Mile High Stadium to face the Denver Broncos, battle the Philadelphia Eagles on the road, and also take on a revamped Las Vegas Raiders.

Seattle Seahawks head into their second season opener as reigning champions

The 2014 NFL season kicked off on September 4 with a high-stakes matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers. For the first time as the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seahawks hosted the game and delivered a commanding performance, winning 36–16.

Led by Marshawn Lynch’s two rushing touchdowns and a relentless “Legion of Boom” defense, Seattle successfully began its title defense by shutting down one of the league’s most potent offenses in front of a record-breaking home crowd.