During a pivotal “Sunday Night Football” matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith suffered a knee injury in the third quarter, forcing him to exit the game and raising concerns about his availability for future games. The injury occurred as Smith attempted to evade a tackle by Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. In an effort to avoid the low tackle, Smith planted both feet and awkwardly fell backward, immediately grabbing his right knee. Medical personnel attended to him on the field before he left the game, and he was later declared questionable to return. This marks Smith’s second knee injury in his 11-year NFL career, with the previous instance being a knee patella sprain sustained during the 2019 preseason.
The Seahawks were trailing the Packers 23-6 at the time of Smith’s injury, a deficit partially attributed to a controversial interception thrown by Smith earlier in the game. While attempting a pass in the red zone on third-and-9, Smith, seemingly under pressure, threw a risky pass into double coverage which was intercepted, thwarting a potential scoring opportunity. Prior to the injury, Smith had accumulated 149 passing yards, completing 15 of 19 attempts, but had not recorded a touchdown pass. The interception underscored the challenges the Seahawks faced against a strong Packers defense.
The unexpected departure of Smith thrust backup quarterback Sam Howell into the spotlight. Howell, in his first season with the Seahawks, arrived via a trade with the Washington Commanders during the offseason. The trade, involving four draft picks, signaled Seattle’s interest in bolstering their quarterback depth. Howell’s previous season with the Commanders saw him start all 17 games, leading the team to a last-place finish in the NFC East. While showcasing his potential with an average of 232.1 yards per game and slightly over one touchdown per game, Howell also struggled with turnovers, leading the league with 21 interceptions. This performance ultimately led the Commanders to draft Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick, paving the way for Howell’s move to Seattle.
The injury to Smith comes at a crucial point in the season for the Seahawks. With an 8-5 record, they are currently tied atop the NFC West with the Los Angeles Rams (8-6), making every game critical for playoff positioning. Smith, in his second year as the Seahawks’ starting quarterback, has been having a statistically productive season, already surpassing his 2023 completion total in just 13 games and averaging a career-high 267.2 passing yards per game. However, he has also thrown a career-high number of interceptions this season, a trend that contributed to the turnover against Green Bay. The Seahawks now face uncertainty at the quarterback position as they navigate the remainder of the season and their playoff aspirations.
The game itself highlighted the competitive nature of both the NFC West and NFC North divisions. The Packers entered the game with a 9-4 record, solidifying their position in the highly contested NFC North. The Seahawks’ ability to maintain their position in the equally competitive NFC West will likely hinge on how quickly and effectively they can adapt to Smith’s absence and Howell’s performance. The incident underscores the precarious nature of the NFL season and the impact injuries can have on a team’s performance and playoff hopes.
The Seahawks, facing a challenging remaining schedule, now rely on Howell to step up and fill the void left by Smith. Howell’s performance in the remaining games will be crucial in determining the Seahawks’ fate this season. The team will be looking for him to demonstrate improved decision-making and reduce the turnovers that plagued him during his tenure with the Commanders. While Howell’s previous season statistics suggest potential, his ability to translate that potential into consistent and effective play remains a question mark. The pressure is undoubtedly on the young quarterback as he navigates this unexpected opportunity and aims to lead the Seahawks to a successful conclusion to their season.
