The Seattle Seahawks received positive news on Sam Darnold after further testing showed that the quarterback's hip remains intact and that the injury appears to be primarily muscular.
Head coach Mike Macdonald said Darnold's hip is structurally sound, providing relief for Seattle after the quarterback was forced out of the season opener against the New England Patriots.
Drew Lock is expected to start
There is still no definitive timetable for Darnold's return, but Macdonald said his initial expectation is that Drew Lock will start the upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Lock played a major role in Seattle's comeback victory in Week 1. After replacing Darnold, he completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, helping the Seahawks overcome a 10-point deficit to win 13-10.
Seattle avoids the worst-case scenario
Darnold suffered the injury during Seattle's opening offensive series after taking a sack and was forced to leave the game. There was concern about a potentially serious structural injury, but subsequent testing ruled out a fracture and confirmed that the hip remains intact.
The quarterback is still dealing with pain, and the Seahawks do not yet know how long he will need to recover. The team will monitor his progress over the coming days before making a final decision.
For now, Seattle can take comfort in avoiding the worst-case scenario, although Lock appears likely to receive another opportunity to lead the offense.