SANTA CLARA, Calif.—The Seahawks will be without their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the NFC West-leading 49ers.
Geno Smith, who injured his groin in practice on Thursday and was listed as questionable on the injury report, tested the injury in a pregame workout, and is inactive for Sunday’s game at Levi’s Stadium.
Smith being out means Drew Lock will make his first start since joining the Seahawks in last year’s trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver.
“He’s been waiting for this opportunity, looking forward to it and preparing for it,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said of Lock on Friday. “If this comes to pass, then he is as ready as he can get.”
Sean Mannion, who signed to the practice squad on Friday, will serve as the backup to Lock.
On a positive injury note, four players who were listed as questionable are active for Sunday’s game, including starting linebacker Jordyn Brooks (ankle), and starting running back Kenneth Walker III, who has missed the last two games with an oblique injury. Also active after being listed as questionable are running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) and nose tackle Jarran Reed (hamstring). Cornerback Tre Brown (heel) and receiver Dee Eskridge (ribs) are inactive after being listed as questionable Friday.
Here are the inactives for both teams:
- WR Dee Eskridge
- QB Geno Smith
- CB Tre Brown
- LB Patrick O’Connell
- LB Frank Clark Sr.
- T McClendon Curtis
- T Raiqwon O’Neal
