Is Geno Smith playing this week? Latest Week 14 injury updates for Seahawks vs. 49ers

The Seattle Seahawks head into Week 14 against the San Francisco 49ers needing a surprise win either this week or next to set themselves up for an easier playoff run in the final three games of 2023. But Seattle got some worrisome injury news this week. While quarterback Geno Smith has been playing through a triceps bruise since the Seahawks played the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11, he had another injury pop up in the week of practice before Sunday's game.

On Thursday, Smith appears to have injured his groin in practice and was listed as limited in practice for Thursday's injury report. There was no such designation for Wednesday's report, nor did Smith talk about being hurt in his weekly press conference, either. This would indicate some kind of strain on Thursday. On Friday, Smith did not participate in any drills but just watched practice.

Very likely, unless Geno Smith just cannot move on Sunday morning, he will play and start against the 49ers. (He was listed as questionable ahead of Week 12's matchup with the 49ers, too, with an arm bruise but still played every down.) The worry, of course, is if he cannot move around very well. San Francisco can get sustained pressure on quarterbacks and QBs need to move around to get out of the way.

How healthy will Seahawks QB Geno Smith be against the 49ers in Week 14?

In Week 13, the 49ers pounded the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Eagles hung around in the first part of the game because Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurt could run around and roll out and buy himself some time to throw the ball. Smith already isn't as nimble as Hurt, most quarterbacks aren't, so if he is too restricted he is simply a sitting duck for the 49ers front four. The preference, obviously, is for Geno Smith to be QB1, but QB2 Drew Lock at least has some athleticism to try to avoid pressure, if needed.

NFL teams are tight-lipped about injuries, even though have to produce injury reports. The company line for the Seahawks will probably be that Smith is just fine to play, or in classic Pete Carroll-speak, "We'll see." Maybe Smith will play, but how well he can move in the pocket we might not know until the game happens. The Seahawks have said that Geno Smith is a true game-time decision.

In other bad news, linebacker Jordyn Brooks is listed as questionable against the 49ers, but only practiced one day during the week and that was in limited fashion. He hurt his ankle in Week 13. He has arguably been Seattle's best all-around linebacker in 2023.

At least Seattle should be healthier at running back. After missing a couple of games, Kenneth Walker III (oblique) is expected to return. Zach Charbonnet (knee) was hurt in Week 13 but the few days extra being off seems to have helped him and he should play against the 49ers.

Read more from 12th Man Rising