Unusual Soft-Tissue Injury Sidelines Sam Darnold; Return Timeline Unknown

The Seattle Seahawks announced on Monday that quarterback Sam Darnold is dealing with an unusual soft-tissue injury in the glute area; the hip joint is not affected. The club stressed the injury is not expected to be long-term, but there is no exact timeline for his return to the field.

As reported by NFL.com, the team returned to practice on Monday and Darnold was not seen during the portion open to the media. Coach Mike Macdonald is expected to speak to reporters on Wednesday with more details.

Journalist Ian Rapoport reported that Darnold avoided a serious injury and could miss a few weeks, while Macdonald said in a radio interview that the team had received very positive news and hoped to have a clear plan within days.

If Darnold is unavailable, veteran Drew Lock is expected to start the Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Lock was 16 for 22 for 187 yards and a touchdown, replacing Darnold in the game against New England.

Monday’s update reiterated that the glute injury is unusual and that the hip joint is not affected; however, there is still no defined timeline for the player’s return. According to NFL.com, the medical staff and coaches will monitor the situation and provide additional information when there is a clear return plan.