Sam Darnold Injury Update Emerges Before Seahawks-Cardinals Game

The Seattle Seahawks will be without quarterback Sam Darnold against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but the outlook for his injured glute has become very encouraging ahead of the game.

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NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Darnold is recovering faster than initially anticipated and could return to practice in some capacity this coming week.

While a Week 3 return remains possible, Rapoport believes Week 4 is the more likely target.

“Today, it’s going to be Drew Lock starting for the Seahawks,” Rapoport said. “Sam Darnold, of course, out again dealing with a glute injury, not a hip, dealing with glute injury. My understanding is he’s recovering faster than anyone had anticipated.”

From @NFLGameDay Morning: #Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is improving quicker than anticipated, while #Raiders TE Brock Bowers (knee) could return next week. pic.twitter.com/zAXWmrSWv9

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2026

Rapoport acknowledged that Darnold now has a “pretty good chance” of taking an important step in his recovery within days.

“There actually is a pretty good chance that Darnold is back at practice in some form or fashion this week coming,” Rapoport said. “Now, could he play Week 3? Possible, a little bit of a stretch, but possible. Week 4 seems like the more likely target for Sam Darnold.”

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Darnold suffered the injury when he was sacked five plays into Seattle’s Week 1 game against the New England Patriots. The injury was initially announced as a hip issue before further testing determined his hip joint was not affected.

Seattle subsequently described the problem as a short-term soft-tissue injury involving Darnold’s glute.

The Seahawks also decided not to place him on injured reserve, leaving open the possibility of a return before the four-game minimum absence that an IR designation would have required.

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Darnold did not practice this week and was officially ruled out for the Arizona game. Drew Lock, who helped Seattle finish its 13-10 comeback victory over New England after Darnold exited, will start in his place.

Seattle faces the Cardinals on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET, before traveling to Washington on Sept. 27 and hosting the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 4.

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This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 12:15 PM.