Geno Smith's injury blip creates opportunity for Seahawks backup QBs

The Seahawks' starting quarterback isn't expected to miss much time, but this still creates a great opportunity for Seattle's backup QBs to show what they can do under stress. Sam Howell, you're up!

The Seahawks and most 12s can breathe again, as it appears that starting quarterback Geno Smith has escaped serious injury in training camp. I say most 12s, as we all know those stubborn few who insist that their grandpa could climb out of his bed at the nursing home and do a better job leading the Hawks offense. I won't waste time going into that, other than to say they're delusional.

When Smith was held out of practice earlier this week, the concern spread far beyond the VMAC practice facility in Renton. As Bob Condotta reported for The Seattle Times, Smith had MRI tests run for injuries he suffered to both his knee and hip at the end of Tuesday's practice. Thankfully, those tests didn't show any serious damage. Multiple sources reported that he could return as early as Friday's practice. But as Lee Vowell wrote in the first article link above, why risk it?

Seattle Seahawks need Howell and Walker to prove what they can do

Smith's injury is one of those proverbial blessings in disguise. You know, like when you get bumped from your flight but wind up meeting the love of your life at the Starbucks while you're waiting for the next plane because you couldn't sit in that lounge another second because that one little kid - sorry, started channeling my inner Michael Pena there.

Anyway, it's a blessing because the Hawks need to see what both of their backups can do when it matters. Sure, both Sam Howell and P.J. Walker have gotten reps in practice, but that's hardly the same thing as getting first-team reps. Even then, I'll just invoke the immortal words of Allen Iverson. If you don't know what I'm referring to, you're too young to take this ride.

Howell looked pretty miserable in the first week of camp. There's no disputing that, and no reason to, either. But once the pads went on Monday, he looked like a different player. He looked much better overall in Thursday's practice, as reported by Gregg Bell. Head coach Mike Macdonald said of Howell's day, “He’s great. Guy stepped in, did a great job. Operated the offense, and moved the ball. Got it out sometimes, took a couple sacks. But there’s a big third-down pressure day sort of thing, so the guys they saw a pretty good gamut of stuff."

So Howell still has some things to work on. That should be no surprise, considering he had crap coaching in his first two seasons in Washington. Walker has looked sharp in practice already, so I don't have too many concerns there. But Howell is clearly the Seahawks' backup QB.

With Smith sitting out Saturday's mock game - he should, you know - Howell can show what he can do when the pressure is on. I hope that Smith only plays a series or two in each of the Hawks' preseason games. If Seattle follows that plan, they'll have a much better idea of what their backups can do when they have to produce.

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