Just as the NFL world had counted out Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, he made a remarkable comeback in 2022. He led the league in completion percentage and guided the Seahawks to a playoff spot, earning their trust as their starting quarterback.
Smith and the Seahawks entered Week 4 of Monday Night Football with a 2-1 record, facing the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, a place he knew well from his time as a New York Jets play-caller. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury during the primetime game.
Geno Smith’s return for the Week 4 Monday Night Football game is uncertain. New York Giants linebacker Isaiah Simmons tackled Smith as he was heading to the sidelines, putting pressure on Smith’s leg and causing discomfort during subsequent drives.
Geno Smith was not happy after this tackle. pic.twitter.com/YvSEAS8qDs
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 3, 2023
Smith was taken to the medical tent for evaluation, and Monday Night Football sideline reporter Lisa Salters provided an update, stating that the exact nature of the injury was not yet clear. Backup quarterback Drew Lock stepped in for Smith.
Ari Meirov, an NFL reporter from The 33rd Team, tweeted that Smith had gone to the Seattle Seahawks’ locker room due to a knee injury. Initially believed to be an ankle injury due to Smith’s discomfort while walking on the sidelines, Meirov also reported that Smith’s return for the Week 4 Monday Night Football game was in question.
Geno Smith just entered the blue medical tent. pic.twitter.com/VeoOryOgGg
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) October 3, 2023
Smith assumed the role of the Seahawks’ starting quarterback after Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos. He made the most of this opportunity, finishing with a 69.8 completion percentage (399 out of 572), 4,282 yards, and 30 touchdowns.
Drew Lock, one of the former Broncos acquired in the Wilson trade, took over for Smith and led the Seahawks to a touchdown drive, with Kenneth Walker III’s one-yard run capping it off, giving the Seahawks a 14-3 halftime lead.
However, despite the initial diagnosis of a knee injury, Geno Smith made a surprising return to the game in the second half.
Geno Smith’s injury history includes a significant setback when he lost his starting role with the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium due to a Grade 3 ACL tear during their 2016 Week 7 game against the Baltimore Ravens. This injury led to him being placed on injured reserve and permanently losing his starting position to Ryan Fitzpatrick. After that season, he signed with the New York Giants as Eli Manning’s backup.
Smith’s first NFL injury occurred in August 2015 when he fractured his jaw during an altercation with Jets defensive end IK Enemkpali over an unpaid debt. Despite undergoing an operation, Smith lost his starting role again, this time to Fitzgerald.
Four years later, in August 2021, Smith suffered a knee patella sprain during one of the Seahawks’ preseason games. Additionally, he suffered a concussion during their preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
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