Seattle Seahawks Inactives: Geno Smith, Dee Eskridge Sidelined vs. San Francisco 49ers

Without their starting quarterback for the first time this season, the Seattle Seahawks will turn to Drew Lock with hopes the veteran can keep the offense afloat as heavy underdogs on the road in Santa Clara.

Days after suffering a groin injury on the practice field, the Seattle Seahawks will be without quarterback Geno Smith against the San Francisco 49ers and veteran backup Drew Lock will receive the start under center in his place.

According to coach Pete Carroll, Smith tweaked his groin on Thursday when he "stumbled over somebody" and Seattle listed him as questionable on Friday's final injury report. After testing out his injury early on Sunday at Levis Stadium, he didn't participate in pre-game warmups, a sign that he would not be available.

Making his first start with the Seahawks and first start since 2021 with the Broncos, Lock will be at the controls against one of the NFL's best defenses. Appearing in two games spelling Smith earlier this season against the Giants and Rams, he has completed four out of 12 passes for 66 yards and an interception.

Behind Lock, journeyman Sean Mannion will be active as Seattle's backup quarterback after being re-signed to the practice squad on Friday and receiving a game day elevation on Saturday.

If there's a silver lining for Lock, he will have the benefit of a full arsenal of backfield weapons at his disposal with Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet both active and ready to help take some pressure off of his shoulders. Walker missed the previous two games with an oblique strain, while Charbonnet bruised his knee near the end of a 41-35 loss to the Cowboys last week.

Suffering a groin injury during the week in practice, Geno Smith couldn't turn the corner quick enough to play in Santa Clara and Drew Lock will replace him under center / © Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Away from Smith, the Seahawks will be without receiver Dee Eskridge for a second straight game due to a rib injury. In his absence, second-year wideout Dareke Young will be active for the second time this season after missing the past three weeks with an abdominal injury, giving the team extra depth behind DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

As has been the case for most of the season, undrafted rookie tackles Raiqwon O'Neal and McClendon Curtis will be sidelined as healthy scratches. Abraham Lucas will start at right tackle opposite of Charles Cross for the second straight game with Stone Forsythe and Jason Peters serving as backups.

On defense, despite missing two practices this week recovering from a medial ankle sprain, linebacker Jordyn Brooks will be active and start alongside Bobby Wagner. Veteran Devin Bush will be available to spell him if needed, while rookie Patrick O'Connell will not be active despite being elevated from the practice squad on Saturday.

Up front, veteran outside linebacker Frank Clark did not make the trip to Santa Clara due to non-injury reasons and will be inactive for the second time in three weeks. In his absence, the Seahawks likely will play Dre'Mont Jones more off the edge rotating with Boye Mafe, Darrell Taylor, and Derick Hall, while defensive end Myles Adams will help pick up some of the slack in the interior of the line.

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