It’s not all bad news on the injury front for the Seattle Seahawks. While Geno Smith’s availability in Week 14 against the San Francisco 49ers is a major question mark, there’s some positive development with running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet trending in the right direction.
Walker III has been dealing with an oblique injury and even missed the Seahawks’ last two games as a result. Meanwhile, Charbonnet injured his knee during their latest showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. Both players were listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest, though the fact that they were both full participants during Friday’s practice was a positive sign.
Now, according to the latest reports, both Walker and Charbonnet are expected to play when they visit the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium, via Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The Seahawks are currently 6-6 on the season and still in contention for a Wild Card spot. But with only five games remaining–including the meeting with the 49ers–they really don’t have any room for error.
With that being said, Walker’s return and Charbonnet’s injury availability are massive boosts to the team. Walker has been a great weapon for the Seahawks when healthy, tallying six touchdowns on 149 rushing attempts this 2023. On the other hand, Charbonnet has already recorded 86 rushes for 368 yards and one touchdown.
With Smith still uncertain to play, Seattle could really use some offensive help.
What happened to Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith?
Talking about Geno Smith, the veteran quarterback is nursing a groin injury that he picked up during Thursday’s practice. It certainly couldn’t have come at the worst possible time, especially with the Seattle Seahawks playing a San Francisco 49ers team that is on a hot streak.
The bad news for Smith is that he’s more likely to sit out than play despite being questionable, with recent reports noting that his injury is more like a two-week thing.
“Geno Smith is dealing with what is considered a two-week injury to his groin, and as much as the Seahawks QB would like to try to play through it, Seattle is not expected to decide on his availability for Sunday’s game vs. the 49ers until pregame warmups,” Schefter reported on Saturday.
In order to add some QB depth amid Smith’s uncertain status, the Seahawks signed QB Sean Mannion to their practice squad.
Hopes are high that Smith will be able to play through the injury and take on the 49ers and Brock Purdy. But don’t be surprised if Seattle errs on the side of caution this time around.
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