Seahawks News: Geno Smith, Devon Witherspoon, power rankings and Week 16 picks
By Lee Vowell
Through Week 15, the Seattle Seahawks are 7-7. That was the same exact record Seattle had in 2022 and the Seahawks went on to make the playoffs. They needed a bit of help to get there with a surprise victory by the Detroit Lions over the Green Bay Packers in the final game of the year, and Seattle needs a little help this season, too. More on that in a bit.
Seattle will play the 5-9 Tennessee Titans in Week 16. Though the Titans are definitely not going to the playoffs and are playing for draft status now, they will not be an easy team to beat. They are sound defensively and head coach Mike Vrabel always has his team prepared.
Both teams are dealing with injury concerns. We cannot be sure who Tennessee is playing at quarterback yet, for instance. The Seahawks could missing a couple of key players as well. Let's start with that.
Geno Smith likely to play in Week 16 but not Devon Witherspoon
One thing we know is that Jamal Adams is out again in Week 16. He is dealing with an injured knee as well as probably a thousand other ailments. Seattle might be better off without him on the field, though, and Adams might as well sit out Week 17 and 18 too. Also, Frank Clark (illness) and one-hit wonder Dee Eskridge (ribs) are also out, so I guess that is three things we know.
Geno Smith practiced fully late in the week and is set to return. He has missed the last couple of weeks with a groin injury and backup Drew Lock has been decent in Smith's absence. Head coach Pete Carroll made it very clear that once Smith was able to return, he would be the starter at quarterback and Week 16 against the Titans appears to be that week.
Four players were listed as questionable on the final Week 16 injury report. Center Evan Brown is dealing with an illness so he will probably be OK by Sunday. Cornerback Tre Brown has a heel issue, but as poorly as Tariq Woolen has played recently, hopefully Brown can go. Running back Kenneth Walker has a shoulder problem but played in Week 15 so the hope is he is fine for the Titans game. Rookie corner Devon Witherspoon (ribs) is questionable but my guess is that he doesn't play. Witherspoon missed Week 15 and hasn't practiced this week.