In a game that held significant playoff implications for the Seattle Seahawks, an unfortunate hit brought quarterback Geno Smith’s night to an abrupt end and cast a shadow over the team’s postseason aspirations. The Seahawks suffered a 30-13 defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, a game that saw Smith exiting due to a right knee injury, paving the way for Sam Howell to step in during the third quarter. The loss not only ended the Seahawks’ comeback hopes but also dealt a blow to their chances of securing the NFC West title, as they now found themselves tied with the Los Angeles Rams for the division lead. The Rams, having previously beaten the Seahawks this season, are set to host the Seahawks in a crucial season-ending showdown.
Following the game, it was revealed that Smith would undergo scans on Monday to assess the severity of his injury. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV expressed the team’s sentiments, emphasizing Smith’s importance as a leader and expressing confidence in Howell and the rest of the team to step up in his absence. The hit that led to Smith’s injury came from a low tackle by linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who inadvertently rolled over Smith’s leg. Despite attempting to walk off the field, Smith ultimately had to be helped to the sideline where he displayed visible frustration by throwing his helmet. Subsequently, Smith was escorted to the locker room by trainers for further evaluation.
Providing an update on Smith’s condition, Seattle coach Mike Macdonald indicated that initial assessments did not reveal any significant structural damage to Smith’s knee. Despite this somewhat positive news, Smith’s return was thwarted by the team’s decision not to risk aggravating the injury further, especially as the game slipped out of reach due to a late turnover. Howell, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Washington, assumed the quarterback duties and managed to complete 5 of 14 passes for 24 yards with an interception, leading one touchdown drive in the process.
Prior to his injury, Smith had been enjoying a strong season, ranking among the league leaders in passing attempts, completions, and yards. Notably, he was on track to surpass the single-season records he had set with the Seahawks the previous year. Despite facing challenges during the game, Smith received praise from Packers coach Matt LaFleur for his resilience and performance over the course of his career. LaFleur acknowledged Smith’s ability to reinvent himself and lauded his consistency as a top-tier passer in the league.
While Smith was unable to address the media post-game, his struggles during the match were evident, culminating in his fourth end-zone interception of the season. This tied him with Jameis Winston of the Cleveland Browns for the most interceptions in the NFL. By the time Smith departed the game, he had completed 15 of 19 passes for 149 yards alongside the interception, leaving the Seahawks trailing 20-6.
