Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith suffered a triceps/elbow injury in last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. While Smith did return after exiting the game, he’s questionable heading into Thursday night’s game against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers.
Smith spoke to the media on Tuesday and wouldn’t necessarily commit to playing against San Francisco. “We’ll see how it goes,” Smith told reporters before saying several times that the decision will be up to Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.
It’s going to be all about whether Smith can actually throw the football without a great deal of effort come Thursday night against the 49ers. It is, however, somewhat interesting that he wouldn’t expand on his status after Carroll showed optimism earlier in the week.
“They’re taking a look at it but they pretty much know what’s going on there,” Carroll said about Smith on Monday. “It’s just see how soon it settles down. Like I said, it’s a good sign that he’s functional so that’s not the issue, so it’s just how sore he is. He’ll make it back.”
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Geno Smith stats (2023): 65% completion, 2,404 yards, 12 TD, 7 INT
Smith’s status is no small thing. By virtue of its loss to Los Angeles last week, Seattle sits at 6-4 on the season and one game behind San Francisco in the NFC West. A home loss to the 49ers with a road date looming in two-plus weeks against San Francisco would not be a good thing for Carroll and Co.
The reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Smith has performed well over the past two games (602 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT) after struggling in his previous four outings (4 TD, 6 INT).
If Smith is unable to go against San Francisco, Drew Lock would get the start. That wouldn’t be an ideal scenario taking on a defense that has yielded 11 touchdown passes compared to 14 interceptions on the season.