"The hip is intact and it's good," Macdonald said during his appearance on Seattle Sports 710 AM. "It's more of a muscle thing. So that's good news."
Despite the encouraging update, Darnold is expected to miss Seattle's Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 20, according to ESPN and NFL Network sources.
The 29-year-old quarterback was injured during Seattle's opening possession against New England. After the play, Darnold visited the medical tent before being taken for further evaluation. He underwent an MRI on Thursday morning, with tests showing that the injury was not extensive.
Macdonald described the results as "really, really good news" and expressed relief that Darnold did not suffer a more significant injury.
The Seahawks were forced to turn to backup quarterback Drew Lock for the remainder of the game. Lock entered the contest with limited recent playing experience, having attempted only three passes across five games during the 2025 season.
Despite the circumstances, Lock guided Seattle to a dramatic 13-10 comeback victory over the Patriots, giving the team a winning start to the new season.
Darnold's injury was not the only setback for a quarterback during the opener. New England's Drake Maye also endured a difficult night, throwing three interceptions during the fourth quarter as the Patriots surrendered their lead.
Maye completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown but took responsibility for the costly mistakes that ultimately contributed to New England's defeat.
"I thought we had the game under control," the 24-year-old quarterback told reporters afterward.
Maye acknowledged that the Patriots had a solid game plan and intended to remain patient while trying to build their lead. However, he admitted that he became too aggressive and that his decisions ultimately hurt the team.
"I lost patience and it cost us," Maye said, calling the interceptions "unacceptable" and promising to improve as the season continues.
While Darnold's injury is expected to keep him out for at least one game, the early medical reports provide encouragement for Seattle. The Seahawks will now rely on Lock as they prepare for their Week 2 meeting with Arizona, while Darnold begins his recovery.
