SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks are bracing for an extended absence for starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who suffered a glute injury in the season opener against the New England Patriots and could miss four to six weeks without requiring surgery, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. While the rest of the NFL finishes Week 1, Seattle has spent the weekend working through the timetable.
Florio reported Sunday that Darnold will not need surgery but that the team will be cautious with its starter, indicating comfort competing with backup Drew Lock under center. That projection is more discouraging than an earlier report Sunday from ESPN's Ian Rapoport, who said Darnold sustained a glute injury against New England and will definitely miss Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals but left the door open for a return as early as Week 3, describing the situation as a "we'll see" moment.
The gap between a short-term absence and a month-plus layoff carries weight for Seattle's early schedule. The Seahawks might be able to navigate games against the 1-0 Cardinals and the 0-1 Washington Commanders without Darnold, but Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers starts a difficult stretch that features NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers in Week 5 and the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7.
With or without Darnold, Seattle heads on the road next Sunday for a divisional showdown in Glendale against the Cardinals at 1:25 p.m. PDT, with Lock in line to start if Darnold remains sidelined.