The Seattle Seahawks had two setbacks Sunday night in the loss 30-13 to the Green Bay Packers. Additionally, quarterback Geno Smith suffered a possible serious knee injury. Smith was forced to leave the game in the third quarter after a low hit by linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald expressed cautious optimism, stating that initial evaluations showed Smith’s knee is structurally intact, but further testing will be required. “He’s probably the toughest player I’ve ever been around,” Macdonald said. “It was severe enough for him not to come back in. We’ll do all the tests tomorrow and figure it out.”
Smith’s injury occurred on an incomplete pass as Cooper’s hit caused his knee to hyperflex. Although Cooper defended the hit as clean, it left Smith limping off the field. Smith came back to the sidelines later but did not reenter the game.
The team’s backup quarterback, Sam Howell, was also lackluster, completing only 5 of 14 passes for 24 yards and an interception. Seattle’s offense line was no better, allowing seven sacks and 12 quarterback hits. Howell, who hasn’t played meaningful minutes all season, said he played poorly. “I’ve got to be better,” he said.
Seattle’s offense woes were compounded by the loss of its center, Olu Oluwatimi, to a knee and quad injury in the first half. The Seahawks, who had four straight wins, were out of first place in the NFC West, moving outside the playoff picture.
With Smith uncertain for the game next week against the Minnesota Vikings, pressure mounts for the Seahawks. According to ESPN Analytics, their hopes of making the postseason are now at 45% and might depend on Howell’s readiness to rise to the challenge.
“I have confidence in Sam,” Macdonald said. “If he gets another chance, he’ll do a great job.”
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