The uncertainty surrounding Geno Smith’s return has become the focal point of the Seahawks’ training camp. Head coach Mike Macdonald has remained non-committal about the timeline for the Pro Bowl quarterback’s recovery. “He’s dealing with a few things from Tuesday’s practice. We’ll get some imaging done Thursday night and see from there,” Macdonald said after the team’s eighth practice, marking Smith’s second consecutive missed session.
Smith made a brief appearance on the field, dressed in his practice jersey over sweats and sporting a team cap instead of a helmet. He engaged in a short conversation with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb before heading back to the team facility. When asked about Smith’s potential participation in the next practice, Macdonald responded, “I don’t know about Friday. We’ll have to wait and see what the doctor says.”
The Seahawks’ season opener is set for September 8th against Denver at Lumen Field, giving Smith just over a month to recover. According to a league source, Smith’s absence from practice is due to ongoing treatment for his knee and hip, which were injured during a non contact drill. Despite getting up favoring his leg, Smith completed the practice session, though he has missed subsequent practices.
Smith’s injury stemmed from a defensive teammate knocking him to the turf during an 11-on-11 scrimmage, despite quarterbacks being off-limits from contact. This led to Smith missing a light practice session on Wednesday, which Macdonald noted was part of an “injury-prevention” strategy. In Smith’s absence, Sam Howell has been taking first-team reps and showing improvement after a shaky start to camp. Howell has been more accurate in recent scrimmages but still made errors, such as throwing an interception that Tre Brown returned for a touchdown and fumbling a ball after being hit by Uchenna Nwosu.
Smith has been vocal about his offseason efforts to improve physically, stating, “I’ve gotten faster, I’ve gotten stronger, and I’ve put on more muscle.” This dedication to physical fitness is credited to both the Seahawks’ strength staff and his personal trainers back home in Miami. Despite his absence, Smith remains integral to the team’s development, especially with the installation of a new offensive system under Grubb, who joined from the University of Washington.
The Seahawks are still adjusting to the new playbook, with Smith emphasizing that it’s a “work in progress.” The team also has P.J. Walker, a former Cleveland Browns starter, as the third quarterback on the roster. As Smith continues his recovery, the team remains hopeful for his swift return to full participation, aiming to have their starting quarterback ready for the upcoming season.
