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During a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba unintentionally let slip that quarterback Sam Darnold is set to make his comeback from a hip injury. The offhand remark quickly became a viral moment, with NFL fans reveling in the receiver's candid blunder.
The Seahawks have kicked off their 2026-27 NFL season with two consecutive victories, and as the reigning Super Bowl champions, they appear poised for another deep run. However, their campaign nearly stumbled out of the gate when Darnold suffered a hip injury in Week 1, sparking widespread worry. Those concerns have since eased, and Darnold is now expected to start against the Washington Commanders after sitting out the Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
While the injury was known to be less severe than initially feared, Darnold's availability for the upcoming game remained uncertain. That is, until Smith-Njigba casually mentioned during the interview, "We get to have Sam Darnold back." He immediately realized his mistake and attempted to walk it back, but the damage was done.
Fans online were quick to pounce on the slip-up, turning it into a comedic field day. One fan commented, "He messed up and spilled the beans," while another joked, "He's a bigger insider than Rapoport or Schefter at this point." A third added, "Trying to backtrack by saying, 'He looks good.' This dude is too funny, man." Another compared the moment to "unsending a text after the read receipt," and one observed, "Genuinely funny watching a guy self-report the injury news mid-answer." A sixth fan quipped, "JSN getting ready for his media career after retirement already."
As of Friday night, the Seahawks have removed Darnold from the injury report, clearing the way for his return. His presence under center could propel Seattle to an even stronger start than they are already enjoying.
Key Analysis
Smith-Njigba's accidental revelation not only provided comic relief but also underscored the fine line athletes walk when speaking publicly about teammates' injuries. While the receiver's slip-up was harmless, it offered a glimpse into the informal flow of information within the league. The Seahawks, meanwhile, remain focused on maintaining their winning momentum as Darnold prepares to lead the offense once more.
Originally reported by yahoo.