Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown were both ruled out of the NFL season opener on Wednesday night after suffering injuries in the first half of the Super Bowl LX rematch. The game, held at Lumen Field in Seattle, saw the Patriots take a 10-3 lead into the fourth quarter after both players exited.
Darnold exits after five snaps with hip injury
Darnold, who led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory last season, was sacked on Seattle’s opening drive by New England’s Dre’Mont Jones. He landed awkwardly on his right side and limped off the field before being evaluated in a medical tent. Team officials later announced he was ruled out for the remainder of the game. The Seahawks did not provide a timetable for his return, and backup quarterback Drew Lock took over under center. Seattle’s offense struggled in the first half, with New England holding a 7-0 lead at halftime.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald expressed confidence in Lock during a halftime interview, stating, “We’ve got faith in Drew.” Darnold finished the game 1-for-2 for 13 yards before exiting. Sports doctor David J. Chao suggested the injury could involve a posterior wall acetabular fracture, though no official diagnosis was confirmed. Chao noted that the mechanism of injury—where Darnold’s kneecap drove into the turf—raises concerns about the severity of the hip injury.
Brown leaves Patriots debut with ankle injury
Brown, acquired by the Patriots in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, suffered an apparent ankle injury in the second half while attempting to make a catch. He was attended to by medical staff and later walked off the field with a noticeable limp. Team officials listed him as questionable to return before ruling him out. The Patriots did not disclose the severity of the injury, but initial reports suggested a high ankle sprain, which typically requires multiple weeks to recover.
Brown finished the game with three receptions for 26 yards and drew a 34-yard pass interference penalty that set up New England’s first touchdown. Dr. Deepak Chona noted on social media that high ankle sprains often lead to performance declines if played through, as they involve damage to the ligaments connecting the tibia to the fibula. The Patriots held a 10-3 lead over Seattle entering the fourth quarter.
Career resurgence and Super Bowl legacy
Darnold’s injury marked a sharp contrast to his career resurgence. After being drafted third overall in 2018, his early years with the New York Jets were marked by struggles. He later found success with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title last season, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in the regular season, followed by five more in the playoffs. His exit from the season opener leaves the Seahawks’ offense in transition with Lock now under center.
Brown’s debut with the Patriots, meanwhile, was cut short after a promising start. The Eagles traded him this summer in exchange for a first-round draft pick, and his injury adds uncertainty to New England’s offensive plans. The Patriots, who last won a Super Bowl in 2019, are now tasked with navigating the early-season absence of one of their key acquisitions.
The game’s outcome remained uncertain as both teams adjusted to the loss of their star players. Seattle’s offense sputtered in the first half, while New England capitalized on early opportunities. The full extent of Darnold’s and Brown’s injuries will be closely monitored in the coming days as teams assess their long-term impact.