Seattle will have to endure a rematch with the 49ers without its QB1.<\/p>\n
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock will get the start on Sunday with Geno Smith (groin; questionable) unable to go, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source.<\/p>\n
Smith has since been declared inactive by the Seahawks, but the team will at least have running backs Kenneth Walker (oblique) and Zach Charbonnet (knee), both of whom are active.<\/p>\n
Smith hurt his groin in Thursday’s practice, which afterward saw him listed as a limited participant, and he did not practice Friday. Unfortunately, the extra rest was not enough, putting Lock in line for his first start as a Seahawk.<\/p>\n
Replacing Smith, who has thrown for 2,918 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season, will provide Lock with his first extended action since his days in Denver.<\/p>\n
Lock did not take a regular-season snap in 2022, Smith’s breakout Pro Bowl season, and he’s gone 4 of 12 for 66 yards and an interception across two appearances this year.<\/p>\n
It’ll prove quite a test for the backup as the hosting 49ers are one of the hottest teams in football with a four-game winning streak, including a 31-13 Thanksgiving Day drubbing of Seattle.<\/p>\n
Although the NFC West appears to be slipping away — the Seahawks sit in third and three games behind San Francisco with five left to play — Seattle still has everything to play for from the NFC’s No. 9 seed, two shy of the conference’s final playoff spot.<\/p>\n
Lock and Co. will look to score some payback when the Seahawks (6-6) and 49ers (9-3) kick off at 4:05 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n