RENTON — If there was any lingering doubt about whether Geno Smith would be able to return as the Seahawks’ starting quarterback Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, he quelled it quickly during their final practice of the week.
“Geno had a terrific week. He looked great,” coach Pete Carroll said Friday afternoon, a few hours before the Seahawks were set to depart for Nashville, Tenn. “It was as good a Friday as I can remember for a quarterback. It was really sharp. You can tell, because he’s laid off a little bit [the past two weeks], he’s spunky and strong and in good shape and moving around great.”
Smith will return from the groin injury that has sidelined him the past two games, looking to keep the Seahawks (7-7) in the NFC playoff chase. Kickoff against the Titans (5-9) is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday for a CBS broadcast.
Two other notable injury updates from Friday: Safety Jamal Adams (knee) has been ruled out against the Titans, and rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon (hip) is listed as questionable.
Witherspoon was listed as a limited participant Friday, and Carroll did not sound optimistic that the rookie would be able to play Sunday.
Complicating matters for the Seahawks secondary is the uncertainty surrounding safety Julian Love, who started in Adams’ place in the thrilling comeback victory over the Eagles on Monday night. Love had two interceptions late in the game, including one in the closing seconds to seal the victory, earning him NFC defensive player of the week honors.
Love has not practiced this week as he and his wife await the birth of their son. The couple was still awaiting the baby’s arrival as of Friday afternoon, Carroll said.
Love was not scheduled to fly out with the team Friday; he could fly separately later in the weekend, but Carroll said he wants Love to focus on his family first.
“He’s got to take care of his wife and family,” Carroll said.
Coby Bryant has been practicing at strong safety this week and would be in line to start Sunday if Love does not make the trip to Nashville.
Adams will remain in Seattle this weekend as he sits out his second consecutive game because of a knee injury that has lingered throughout the season.
That Adams was not in attendance for Monday’s game against the Eagles at Lumen Field has drawn much scrutiny this week, but Carroll said Friday he was OK with it.
“I was fine with him not being there under the circumstances,” Carroll said. “We couldn’t get him back. We couldn’t get him there and ready to play. We waited as long as we could, and he was really disappointed that he couldn’t be available. So that was a choice — I’m not worried about that at all.”
Earlier this week, Carroll did not rule out the possibility of Adams being shut down for the remainder of the season.
On Friday, Carroll said Adams will continue to rehab in hopes of returning next week.
“He’s still trying to get back; he’s still working at it, trying to find the right preparation process to make sure that we can maximize [rehab],” Carroll said. “The rigors of the season caught up [with Adams] a little bit. It’s a very difficult injury, and he’s handled it amazingly, and he’s battling. He worked really hard to get back this week. Couldn’t do it. So we’ll see about next week.”
Other injury updates
- Titans rookie QB Will Levis (ankle) is designated as questionable for Sunday. If Levis is unable to go, the Titans are expected to turn to veteran Ryan Tannehill.
- Running back Kenneth Walker III (shoulder) “looked fine” at practice and will play Sunday, Carroll said.
- Center Evan Brown (illness) did not practice but will travel with the team and is expected to start Sunday.
- Cornerback Tre Brown (heal) is also expected to play Sunday.
- Wide receiver Dee Eskridge (ribs) and linebacker Frank Clark (illness) have been ruled out.
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