We don’t even play doctors on television, but Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith’s knee injury Friday night against the Green Bay Packers did not look promising.
In the third quarter, the 11-year NFL veteran was hit low by a Green Bay defender, suffering a knee injury that prevented him from returning. Sam Howell ended up playing the rest of the game, and Seattle lost 30-13 in embarrassing fashion.
Howell’s performance did not inspire confidence, therefore the Seahawks must hope Smith’s injury is not serious, otherwise their 2024 season will be ruined (which it could be anyhow). After the game, head coach Mike Macdonald spoke with the media about Smith’s injury, saying that the knee is structurally sound, but it’s too early to say whether he’ll miss time.
Mike Macdonald on Geno Smith knee injury
“It was a knee for Geno… We’ll do all the tests tomorrow and kind of figure it out as we go. But right now, structurally it looks like it’s OK, but we’ve got to get it imaged and all that stuff… We’ve got to get the tests done, and I know he’ll do everything humanly possible to go play, but we just don’t know right now.”
When questioned if Smith might have returned to the game, Macdonald responded that Smith attempted but “just couldn’t go.” So we’ll have to wait for the test results later today, but Smith is certain to miss at least this week’s away game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Whatever happens to Smith the rest of the season, the injury and his red zone performance are enough to convince us that it’s time to start looking for the team’s next quarterback.
Meanwhile, Howell is the team’s only viable starting option if Smith is forced to sit out. Jaren Hall had been on the practice squad and was only promoted for game checks, but he’d be the next man up after Howell. The Seahawks may add another quarterback during the next few days, but they are unlikely to solve the QB1 position until the summer.
On Sunday, they’ll get a good look at one option: Sam Darnold, who has had a surprising breakout season with the Vikings.
