Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith went into the staff’s Thanksgiving matchup towards the 49ers with a questionable designation as he handled a bruised elbow. Now, on this week’s rematch, Smith will as soon as once more are available questionable after tweaking his groin in observe Thursday, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Occasions.
Within the first recreation towards their division rival, Smith struggled, maybe because of the damage. Smith accomplished solely 18 passes for 180 yards and an interception. The 49ers didn’t go straightforward on him as their protection tallied up 12 quarterback hits and 6 sacks. If one other damage would ship comparable outcomes, Seattle might imagine twice about placing him below heart to start out Sunday.
His latest ailment was a little bit of a freak accident, as he tweaked his groin when he “stumbled over anyone.” Smith was held out of shape Friday with a view to relaxation the groin, whereas head coach Pete Carroll remained imprecise about Smith’s probabilities of as soon as once more having the ability to play regardless of the questionable designation. It feels like they’ll make their official choice throughout pregame warmups on Sunday.
If Smith can’t go, Drew Lock will likely be requested to step in and begin in his place. Not solely would this be Lock’s first begin since he was a Bronco in 2021, however it will even be his first severe motion in any respect since his time in Denver. Lock took the NFL by storm when, as a rookie, he stepped in as a starter after accidents to Joe Flacco and Brandon Allen. Lock would go 4-1 as a starter that yr whereas throwing seven touchdowns to solely three interceptions.
His first full season as a starter didn’t go almost as effectively. In 13 begins, Lock’s completion proportion plummeted to 57 p.c. He didn’t match the effectivity of his rookie yr as he threw solely 16 touchdowns whereas main the league with 15 interceptions. Lock misplaced the preseason beginning battle to Teddy Bridgewater the next yr, however began three video games in damage reduction, dropping all three contests.
Since being traded to Seattle, Lock hasn’t seen any in depth motion. As a Seahawk, he’s solely appeared in two video games, each coming this yr. He got here in throughout rubbish time within the staff’s win over the Giants and located just a few drives as an damage alternative throughout the staff’s loss to the Rams. Seattle is hoping that they will preserve Lock’s utilization low as they try to remain within the playoff race. They’ll hope that Smith will discover no bother in pregame warmups and be capable of begin with no limitations.
The priority is actual, although. A lot in order that the Seahawks added quarterback Sean Mannion to their observe squad Friday. After Brett Rypien was signed off their observe squad by the Jets earlier this week, Mannion now stands as the one quarterback left to backup Lock, ought to Smith be unable to go. In an effort to make room on the observe squad for Mannion, Seattle launched observe squad working again SaRodorick Thompson.
