What happened to Geno Smith? Seahawks QB goes down with knee injury vs. Giants on MNF

Just when the NFL world has written off Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, he returned with a fantastic 2022. He led the league in completion percentage and led the Seahawks to a playoff berth. The team trusted him, making him their starting quarterback during his resurgence.

Smith and the Seahawks are 2-1 coming into their Week 4 Monday Night Football showdown against the New York Giants. He returns to MetLife Stadium, a venue he’s familiar with as a former New York Jets play-caller. Unfortunately, he got injured in the primetime game.

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Geno Smith is questionable to return in Week 4 Monday Night Football game

New York Giants linebacker Isaiah Simmons tackled Smith as he was on his way to the sidelines. Simmons’ weight went down on Smith’s leg, making the quarterback uneasy during the succeeding drives.

Smith was also brought into the blue medical tent for further attention. Monday Night Football sideline reporter Lisa Salters made an update that they’re not yet sure what the injury was. However, backup quarterback Drew Lock took over from Smith.

The 33rd Team NFL reporter Ari Meirov tweeted that Smith went to the Seattle Seahawks locker room due to a knee injury. Initially, it was suspected as an ankle injury, given his discomfort while walking on the sidelines. Meirov also said that Smith is questionable to return in this Week 4 Monday Night Football game.

Smith took over as the Seahawks' starting quarterback after Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos. He made the most of his chance, finishing with a 69.8 completion percentage (399 out of 572), 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Drew Lock, one of the former Broncos traded to Seattle as part of the Wilson trade, took over from Smith. Lock led the Seahawks to a touchdown drive, capped off by Kenneth Walker III’s one-yard run, to build a 14-3 halftime lead.

But despite what was ruled as a knee injury, Geno Smith returned to action in the second half of the game.

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Geno Smith's injury history

Ironically, Smith lost his starting role with the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, the same venue of this Week 4 Monday Night Football showdown. He suffered a Grade 3 ACL tear during their 2016 Week 7 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

It was a costly injury because the Jets placed him on injured reserve. He also lost his starting role to Ryan Fitzpatrick again, this time for good. After the season, he signed with the New York Giants as Eli Manning’s backup.

Geno Smith’s first NFL injury occurred in August 2015 after an altercation with Jets defensive end IK Enemkpali over an unpaid debt. Smith fractured his jaw and underwent an operation. However, Fitzgerald played well enough to retain the starting role.

Four years later, Smith suffered a knee patella sprain during one of the Seahawks’ preseason games. In August 2021, he suffered a concussion during their preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.