Darnold's hip is intact, and Drew Lock is in line to start for the Seahawks at Arizona

The Seahawks got the news they wanted on Sam Darnold's hip Thursday, and the plan for the next game came with it. Thursday's MRI showed the hip is intact, coach Mike Macdonald called the injury a muscle problem, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Darnold is expected to miss Week 2 at Arizona but not a long stretch.

Drew Lock is in line to start on September 20.

Darnold lasted five snaps in Wednesday night's 13-10 win over New England. On third down, former Seahawks edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones sacked him and Darnold landed on his right knee, according to Seattle Sports' Cameron Van Til. He had completed 1 of 2 passes for 13 yards.

He went to the medical tent, then limped to the locker room with 7:29 left in the first quarter, and was ruled out before halftime.

He was sent to Harborview Medical Center for a CT scan because the stadium has none, Heavy reported, citing ESPN's Adam Schefter and Rapoport. The scan was inconclusive and he stayed overnight ahead of Thursday's MRI, Pro Football Rumors reported.

Macdonald gave the result Thursday morning on Seattle Sports' Brock and Salk show, as quoted by NFL.com. "The hip is intact, and it's good. It's more of a muscle thing," Macdonald said. "That's good news. Now, how long that is, we don't know yet. But really good news."

Rapoport put the absence at a few weeks. Cardinals Wire, citing NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, described it as an unusual muscle strain in the hip area and reported the Seahawks are not considering injured reserve for now. Pro Football Rumors, citing ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, said the issue now is pain management.

The calendar helps. Seattle plays Arizona on September 20 and then Washington in Week 3, 18 days after the injury, per Seattle Sports and NFL.com. None of the outlets read Thursday reported a roster move at quarterback.

Macdonald did not name a starter for Arizona, but he did not hide his expectation either. "I don't know yet. In my mind, I'm kind of thinking Drew's gonna play, but no one's told me that," Macdonald said.

Lock made his own case Wednesday. He finished 16 of 22 with one touchdown, no interceptions and a 113.3 passer rating, for 187 yards by NFL.com's count and 185 by SB Nation's Pats Pulpit.

He led three second-half scoring drives after Seattle fell behind 10-0, and the touchdown came on a five-play drive that ended with a short fourth-down throw Jaxon Smith-Njigba turned into a 45-yard score.

The defense finished it. Drake Maye threw three fourth-quarter interceptions, all on deep attempts.

Nehemiah Pritchett intercepted a jump ball meant for Romeo Doubs, and safety Julian Love picked off a seam route. Josh Jobe took the last in the end zone, a floating throw off Maye's back foot on third-and-5 from the Seattle 16 with 25 seconds left.

As this site previewed Wednesday, the Super Bowl LX rematch opened the season, and it ended with Seattle 13, New England 10, the winner's offense run for three and a half quarters by its backup.

Lock is 10-18 in 28 career starts, last started in 2024 for the Giants and went 1-4, and has never thrown a pass against the Cardinals, per Cardinals Wire. If he starts, Pro Football Rumors and Heavy reported, second-year quarterback Jalen Milroe moves up to the No. 2 job.

Kickoff in Arizona is ten days away, and Macdonald's own guess is that Lock takes it.