Seattle Seahawks get the all-clear on Geno Smith's new injuries
By Lee Vowell
It is far too early in training camp for the Seattle Seahawks to already worry about injuries to key players. And yet, quarterback Geno Smith missed a couple of practices this week with a couple of different injuries after head coach Mike Macdonald said Smith "got a little banged up" in Tuesday's practice. As bad as Sam Howell has looked for much of camp, Seattle cannot afford to lose Smith.
The quarterback's problems were hip- and knee-related, but the exact detail of each is unknown. What is not unknown now is that Smith tests run on Smith showed no structural damage and Smith, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, is not expected to miss much time. In fact, he could be back as soon as Friday's practice.
The Seahawks hold their annual Football Fest on Saturday and this includes a mock game. Whether Smith is healthy enough to play is not known, of course. One might assume that if there is any doubt as to the quarterback's health that the team would hold him out of the mock game.
Seahawks QB Geno Smith appears good to go after having tests run on his hip and knee
Seattle also starts their preseason schedule next weekend - August 10 at the Los Angeles Chargers at 4:05 pm PT - and there is no indication that Smith would not be available to play should Seattle want to have him get a few reps in against players not wearing a Seahawks jersey.
Normally, preseason games are not overly important for long-term starters, but Seattle has a new offensive system with new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb so the starters could see a bit more time in preseason contests than normal. Again, there is no reason to risk a potentially banged-up Smith to any harm in a meaningless game.
What is interesting is how tight-lipped Seattle has been about the specific injuries Smith suffered this week. One might wonder if that is how the Seahawks will be run under Macdonald. Former head coach Pete Carroll was fairly open about what injuries were. Macdonald might feel differently about how freely to give out that information.