It was announced earlier on Sunday that Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith would be unavailable for their Week 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Beating the 49ers in 2023 is difficult enough. However, Seattle’s road game against San Francisco has just got a lot more difficult.
Why Is Geno Smith Missing?
Smith has been officially ruled out of the game against the 49ers due to a groin injury as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Smith has been struggling with a groin injury which he suffered in practice during the week. The injury first appeared on Thursday’s injury report, where the Seahawks listed Smith as being limited in practice.
Then, on Friday’s injury report, Smith was listed as questionable ahead of the Week 14 game. Seahawks backup QB Drew Lock took the majority of snaps in Friday’s practice.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared on Saturday that the issue was “considered a two-week injury,” but the Seahawks would wait until the pregame warmups to make an official decision.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll shared after Friday practice that Smith “tweaked his groin,” and, on his availability to play on Sunday, he continued, “We’ll see. We rested him today.”
Smith was seen going through a short workout in pregame warmups at Levi’s Stadium, however, it was decided that he wouldn’t be able to take any part in the game.
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Lock will step up as the starter for Seattle in the absence of Smith. Carroll shared, “[Lock’s] been waiting for this opportunity, looking forward to it and preparing for it.” Sean Mannion will serve as the backup after being elevated from the practice squad on Friday.
It will be Lock’s first regular-season start in Seattle, with his last start coming in 2021 for the Denver Broncos. He has stepped in to cover Smith in two games during the 2023 season, putting up three completions from 12 attempts, 66 yards, and one interception.
The news is a huge blow for the Seahawks, who face a 49ers team in great form. Meanwhile, Seattle is on a three-game losing streak and is fighting to stay alive in the NFC playoff race.
After the 49ers, the Seahawks next play at home against the Eagles on December 19.
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