The NFL season kicked off with a bang, but not the kind Seattle Seahawks fans were hoping for. As the Seahawks hosted the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch, disaster struck early when quarterback Sam Darnold went down with a hip injury in the first quarter. The broadcast team of Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth, however, seemed to treat the moment with a shrug—and the internet took notice.
Darnold, who led Seattle to a Super Bowl victory last season, was injured on a routine play. Initially, it didn't look serious, but within minutes, the QB was limping off the field and heading for X-rays. NBC's coverage, led by Collinsworth, was notably low-key, which didn't sit well with viewers who expected more urgency.
Ben Axelrod of Front Office Sports was among the first to call it out, tweeting, "The NBC broadcast have been very nonchalant about the Sam Darnold injury, no?" That sentiment quickly spread across social media as fans piled on Collinsworth for his lackluster reaction.
One fan wrote, "Collinsworth just said the Seattle OLine has been dominant as Sam Darnold limps into the X-ray room after five snaps." Another added, "Collinsworth in mid season form, talking about Seattle's dominant o line as Darnold in the locker room getting x rays." The criticism was sharp and widespread, with many noting that the broadcast missed the gravity of the moment.
"NBC did not do a good job of handling this injury from Darnold on Wednesday evening," another fan posted. The backlash highlights a growing frustration with how injuries are covered in the NFL, especially when a star player is involved.
Collinsworth, a veteran broadcaster known for his analytical style, has faced similar criticism in the past for his sometimes tangential commentary. This incident, however, struck a nerve because of the stakes—Darnold's health could define Seattle's season. The team entered the game as heavy favorites, but without their starting QB, the dynamics shift dramatically.
As the game continued, the Seahawks were forced to adjust, with backup quarterbacks warming up on the sideline. Darnold was officially ruled questionable to return, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering about the severity of the injury. The lack of clarity from NBC only added to the frustration, as viewers were left in the dark during a critical moment.
This isn't the first time a broadcast team has faced heat for its handling of a player injury. The pressure is on networks to balance real-time analysis with sensitivity, and many feel NBC missed the mark. For Collinsworth, who is no stranger to scrutiny, this performance could become a talking point for weeks to come.
The incident also raises questions about NBC's broader coverage strategy, especially with the recent shakeup in the Sunday Night Football booth. Fans are already wondering if changes are needed to ensure better handling of such situations in the future.
For now, the focus remains on Darnold's health and whether he can return to lead the Seahawks. But the damage to Collinsworth's reputation—at least in the eyes of many fans—may already be done. As one tweet put it, "Collinsworth in mid season form"—and not in a good way.
