Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior Writer December 9, 2023, 11:06 p.m. ET
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Geno Smith is dealing with a groin injury that has been going on for about two weeks, and as much as the Seahawks quarterback wants to try to play through the injury, Seattle isn't expected to make a decision on his availability for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers until for pregame warmups, sources told ESPN.
If Smith can't play, Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock would start. Smith is officially listed as questionable for the game, and sources told ESPN there are no assurances he will get through pregame warmups well enough to play.
Additionally, if Smith doesn't play on Sunday, he will have an extra day to prepare for the Seahawks' next game on Dec. 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football.”
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Smith is known for his toughness and will try to overcome the injury, but there are no assurances he will be able to do so, according to a source.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Smith “tweaked his groin a little bit” during Thursday's practice when he tripped over someone and said “we'll see” when asked if he thinks Smith will be on will play on Sunday.
The Seahawks appeared cautious and uncertain after arriving in San Francisco on Saturday evening. As tough as Smith is, they know there's a real possibility they could be without him on Sunday.
Smith, who has also battled knee and triceps injuries this season, was listed as limited on Thursday and non-participating on Friday. Asked if the Seahawks need to see Smith practice before the game on Sunday, Carroll said, “Yeah, we'll wait and see.”
Smith was still battling a triceps bruise from Seattle's game against the Rams on Nov. 19 when he injured his groin on Thursday. Before practice, he said that while his arm was feeling better, it was still “nowhere near” 100 percent.
Given Smith's recent injury, the Seahawks have taken steps to protect themselves for Sunday's road game in San Francisco. Seattle signed quarterback Sean Mannion to the practice squad on Friday and elevated him to the active roster on Saturday. Mannion spent last season on the Seahawks' practice squad and was in training camp with the team in 2021.
The 27-year-old Lock has played just 25 snaps this entire season since the Seahawks acquired him from the Broncos in March 2022 as part of the Russell Wilson transfer. After Smith beat him out for the starting job over the summer, Lock didn't play a single snap in the regular season last year. This season, he made two cameo appearances as a replacement for the injured Smith, going 4 of 12 for 66 yards and one interception.
ESPN's Brady Henderson contributed to this report.