Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold sidelined with a glute muscle strain
13 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 16, 2026, 7:26 PM
Last updated Sep 16, 2026

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has been diagnosed with a glute muscle strain, according to an update on September 13, 2026. The injury occurred during the team's opening victory against the New England Patriots at Lumen Field. While initial speculation pointed toward a hip issue, medical confirmation clarifies the strain is located in his gluteal muscle. Darnold is expected to miss the upcoming Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals and remains uncertain for Week 3 against the Washington Commanders. The team may hold him out until a Week 4 home game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Drew Lock will take over as the starter for the Seattle Seahawks and will receive full practice repetitions while Darnold recovers from the injury.
- •Sam Darnold sustained a glute muscle strain during the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots.
- •Darnold will likely miss the Week 2 contest against the Arizona Cardinals.
- •The Seattle Seahawks have not yet determined his status for Week 3 against the Washington Commanders.
- •Drew Lock will serve as the starting quarterback during the injury period.
- •Medical staff consider the two-game absence a best-case scenario compared to initial hip injury concerns.
- 7:26 PMYahoo Sports — Seahawks' Sam Darnold to miss Week 2 vs. Cardinals, likely to avoid IR
- 2:07 AMYahoo Sports — Sam Darnold doesn't have long-term injury
- 12:40 AMNBCSports.com — Seahawks say Sam Darnold’s “very unique” injury has “no firm timeline” - NBC Sports
- 12:38 AMYahoo Sports — Seahawks say Sam Darnold has ‘very unique soft-tissue’ injury
- 12:36 AMYahoo Sports — Seahawks say Sam Darnold's "very unique" injury has "no firm timeline"
- 12:29 AMYahoo Sports — Seahawks' Sam Darnold has a soft tissue injury and the timeline for his return is unclear
- 12:17 AMESPN — Seahawks say Sam Darnold has 'unique soft-tissue' injury - ESPN
- 12:00 AMYahoo Sports — Seahawks give positive injury update for QB Sam Darnold
"Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold suffered an injury during the opening drive of the team’s season-opening 13-10 win over the New England Patriots and was ruled out for the rest of the game. The initial concern was far more serious. Medical evaluations first raised the possibility of a fractured hip socket, an injury that would have […] The post Seahawks rumors: Sam Darnold getting not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 2nd opinions on butt injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.
"Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has a “very unique, soft tissue” glute injury with no set timeline for his return, the team announced Monday. The injury is believed to be short-term and Darnold's hip joint was unaffected, the team said. It appears unlikely that Darnold will be able to play Sunday at the Arizona Cardinals.
"Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is dealing with what the team described as a "very unique soft-tissue" injury that is not expected to sideline him long term.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 16, 2026, 7:26 PMSeahawks' Sam Darnold to miss Week 2 vs. Cardinals, likely to avoid IR
Darnold is dealing with a 'very unique soft-tissue injury' suffered during Seattle's opening night win over the Patriots.
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 2:07 AMSam Darnold doesn't have long-term injury
Sam Darnold has soft-tissue injury, not a long term concern
- ESPNSep 15, 2026, 12:17 AMSeahawks say Sam Darnold has 'unique soft-tissue' injury - ESPN
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is dealing with what the team described as a "very unique soft-tissue" injury that is not expected to sideline him long term.
- NBCSports.comSep 15, 2026, 12:40 AMSeahawks say Sam Darnold’s “very unique” injury has “no firm timeline” - NBC Sports
Seattle offers more transparency than the injury report requires.
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 12:38 AMSeahawks say Sam Darnold has ‘very unique soft-tissue’ injury
Still no clear timeline on a potential return date for Darnold.
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 12:36 AMSeahawks say Sam Darnold's "very unique" injury has "no firm timeline"
Seattle offers more transparency than the injury report requires.
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 12:29 AMSeahawks' Sam Darnold has a soft tissue injury and the timeline for his return is unclear
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has a “very unique, soft tissue” glute injury with no set timeline for his return, the team announced Monday. The injury is believed to be short-term and Darnold's hip joint was unaffected, the team said. It appears unlikely that Darnold will be able to play Sunday at the Arizona Cardinals.
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 12:00 AMSeahawks give positive injury update for QB Sam Darnold
This is not considered a long-term injury.
- MyNorthwest.comSep 14, 2026, 11:58 PMThe latest on Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s ‘unique’ injury - Seattle Sports
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold's "unique" glute injury is considered to be "short-term," per the team's website.
- Yahoo SportsSep 14, 2026, 11:57 PMSeahawks: Sam Darnold has a 'very unique soft-tissue injury' that didn't impact hip joint and is considered 'short-term'
The Seahawks offered another cryptic update on Darnold's injury, but one that largely comes across as positive for his return to the field.
- Yahoo SportsSep 14, 2026, 6:53 AMSeahawks rumors: Sam Darnold getting not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 2nd opinions on butt injury
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold suffered an injury during the opening drive of the team’s season-opening 13-10 win over the New England Patriots and was ruled out for the rest of the game. The initial concern was far more serious. Medical evaluations first raised the possibility of a fractured hip socket, an injury that would have […] The post Seahawks rumors: Sam Darnold getting not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 2nd opinions on butt injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 5:02 PMSam Darnold injury update: Seahawks quarterback injures butt
Yes, it’s a butt injury for Sam Darnold. Get your jokes off.
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