Pete Carroll on Geno Smith’s status for Week 14: ‘We’ll see’

If you’ve seen the photo that Geno Smith posted on social media, you’d know that the Seattle Seahawks quarterback has gutted through a below injury to have one of the best games of his season, even though it came in a 41-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

And while Seattle will have 10 days to prepare for its next opponent — the San Francisco 49ers — Smith’s status is in doubt. But it’s not because of the injury to his elbow. It’s due to an injury that he suffered in practice.

Pete Carroll told reporters Friday that Smith “tweaked his groin a little bit” in practice on Thursday when he stumbled over an undefeated player. Smith did not participate in practice on Friday, and the Seahawks notably signed well-traveled veteran Sean Mannion to their practice squad.

When asked if Smith would play Sunday, Carroll said, “We’ll see. We rested him today.”

Does Pete Carroll think Geno Smith will play Sunday vs. the 49ers?

“We’ll see. We rested him today.”

Carroll said Smith “tweaked his groin a little bit” in practice yesterday when he stumbled over somebody. pic.twitter.com/UZEdsGy5n1

— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) December 8, 2023

With that, there’s a chance that Drew Lock will have to make his first start of the season. Making appearances in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams and a win over the New York Giants, Lock has completed 4 of 12 attempts (33 percent) for 66 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception, though it did come in minimal playing time.

“He’s been waiting for this opportunity,” Carroll said when asked how he left about Lock potentially starting Sunday, “and looking forward to it, preparing for it. “If this comes to pass, then he is as great as he can get. Excited about him getting a chance to play…He’s been really disciplined about the way he focuses every week to make himself known, and believe he’s gonna be playing.”

Carroll said that if it changes this week, meaning he’d have to turn to Lock under center, he believes the fruits of his labor will pay off. The Seahawks hope it doesn’t get to that point, but Carroll was as non-committal as you can get about Smith’s status for Sunday.

[Brady Henderson]