Getty Image / Michael Owens
The Seattle Seahawks are heading into a monster divisional clash against the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving night. But, it’s going to be an uphill climb, as they could be without two huge pieces on offense due to injury.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that quarterback Geno Smith and running back Kenneth Walker III are questionable and doubtful, respectively, to play on Thursday night.
Seahawks are listing QB Geno Smith as questionable and RB Kenneth Walker as doubtful for Thursday night’s game vs. the 49ers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 22, 2023
There’s no way to sugarcoat this for Seahawks fans. These are two potential losses they cannot afford for a game of this magnitude.
After a soul-crushing loss to the Rams last week, they sit a game back of the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West. But, with two games left against the 9ers, they control their destiny in the division. A loss on Thursday night would change that equation, as they would be two games back with only one head-to-head matchup remaining.
Walker, one of the best running backs in football, left the loss to the Rams on Sunday in the second quarter with an oblique injury. They don’t think it will be a long-term injury, but it seems unlikely he will be good to go Thursday. Rookie Zach Charbonnet will get the bulk of the touches in his absence.
On the year, he has 613 yards and 6 touchdowns.
As for Geno Smith, the 2022 Pro Bowl selection left the loss on Sunday temporarily with an injury to his tricep on his throwing arm. Coach Pete Carroll said on Tuesday that Smith would play on Thursday, but a questionable designation on the injury report casts some doubt on that. If he ends up not playing, Drew Lock will be under center.
On the season, Smith has 2404 yards and 12 touchdowns along with 7 interceptions.
As of early Wednesday evening, the Seahawks were touchdown underdogs, a pretty big number for a home team with a winning record.