Seahawks QB Sam Darnold Departs Season-Opener vs. Patriots After First Drive

If the Seattle Seahawks are going to beat the New England Patriots again, then they might have to do it without their starting quarterback.

Sam Darnold departed Wednesday's season-opening matchup after the Seahawks' first drive. He suffered a hip injury and was ruled questionable to return. 

Darnold was sacked on the final play of the Seahawks' opening drive. However, he didn't show any clear signs of injury when he left the field. In fact, Darnold told the Seahawks' training staff he didn't need to be looked at when he first returned to the sideline after getting sacked by Patriots defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones. He was later evaluated in the blue medical tent and eventually went into the locker room. 

Drew Lock entered the game for the Seahawks on their second drive. Seattle punted the ball on that drive as the score remained 0-0 just over 10 minutes into the first quarter. Lock remained in the game for the Seahawks' third drive.

Darnold led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl title last season. He threw for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in the regular season as Seattle won a franchise-record 14 games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.