Seahawks rule Sam Darnold out for Week 2; Drew Lock to start vs. Cardinals

Darnold has not missed a game due to injury since 2021.

Darnold ranked top five in wins, passing yards and touchdowns from 2024-25.

Lock threw a 45-yard touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba on fourth-and-1.

Matthew Stafford in 2022 was the only reigning Super Bowl-winning quarterback in 15 seasons to miss significant time to injury, missing eight games.

Lock is 10-18 as a starter in his career.

The Cardinals upset the Chargers 26-14 in their season opener.

That was the largest Week 1 upset since 2018 and Jim Harbaugh's first NFL opening-game loss.

Lock went 44-for-64 for 477 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in those two 2023 starts.

Unlike Lock, Milroe does not have that kind of starting or backup NFL experience.

Milroe's rookie snaps were on specific gadget plays.

Milroe has never been asked to play traditional quarterback in regular-season games.

With Darnold out, Milroe could play if something happens to Lock.

Jones landed hard on Darnold while Darnold's knee was at a 90-degree angle to the turf.

Darnold was evaluated on the sideline, then taken to the locker room and away from the stadium.

Darnold was back in the building Wednesday and was briefly seen on the field before practice.

Darnold and safety Ty Okada were the only players who did not practice Wednesday.

Tory Horton returned to full practice after a hamstring that kept him out of the opener.

Nick Emmanwori remains limited as he works back from ankle surgery.

Josh Jobe was a full participant despite a wrist issue.

Anthony Bradford (knee), Josh Jones (knee) and Cooper Kupp (back) were also limited.

In 2025 Darnold threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

The Seahawks won Super Bowl LX, the franchise's second championship.

Seattle had the best NFC record at 14-3 in 2025.

Darnold earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod.

The Seahawks swept the 2025 series with Arizona and have won nine consecutive games against the Cardinals.

SI said the ruling out was due to a hip injury from the Patriots opener.

Lock was a second-round pick out of Missouri by the Denver Broncos.

Macdonald did not rule out a quick return for Darnold.

Keeping Darnold off IR means Seattle anticipates he can return by the Oct. 11 home game against San Francisco.

After Arizona, Seattle plays at Washington on Sept. 27 and hosts the Chargers on Oct. 4.

Lock first came to Seattle in 2022 as part of the Russell Wilson trade.

Lock spent 2024 with the Giants before returning in 2025 as Darnold's backup.

Lock threw just three passes in mop-up duty last season.