Seahawks' Smith injures elbow, returns for final drive in narrow defeat

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith briefly exited with a right elbow injury before returning for the final drive in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Smith left after being hit by Aaron Donald while attempting a pass in the third quarter. The veteran signal-caller spent time in the medical tent before being listed as questionable to return. He initially had an ice wrap on his elbow and then returned with a protective sleeve.

The veteran put Seattle in position for a potential game-winning field goal after completing 3 of 5 passes on the team's final drive. However, Jason Myers' 55-yard field-goal attempt missed the mark.

Head coach Pete Carroll described the injury postgame as a bruise in the lower tricep/back of the elbow and is uncertain about the quarterback's availability for Thursday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, per NFL Network's Omar Ruiz.

Smith admitted he was "a little sore" after the game and also offered no certainty as to his status for Week 12, according to team reporter John Boyle.

Drew Lock filled in for Smith while he was sidelined. Lock threw six passes with one interception and two completions.

Smith ended the game with 233 yards passing and one touchdown.

The 33-year-old is in the midst of a shaky 2023 campaign. The veteran has seen his completion percentage, yards per attempt, and passer rating regress from 2022 when he won Comeback Player of the Year. He's thrown 11 touchdowns to seven interceptions.

The Seahawks also lost running back Kenneth Walker to an oblique strain in the loss, which dropped them to 6-4.

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