Geno Smith active, Drew Lock starts at QB for Seahawks vs. Eagles

Geno Smith was active but did not play in Monday's game against the Eagles. Seahawks had a new secondary lineup. Former Seahawk, Golden Tate, raised the 12 Flag.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was available to play in Monday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but ultimately did not see any action. Despite being listed as questionable with a groin injury that kept him out of the previous game, Smith's status remained uncertain until the last minute. The intrigue surrounding his potential participation grew as Smith conducted an on-field agility drill and threw some passes prior to the game. Although he was not initially named as an inactive player, Smith did not take the field when the game began. Instead, Drew Lock handled the starting quarterback duties, with Sean Mannion as the backup.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider revealed that Smith had "really surprised" the team with his pregame workout, despite experiencing some aggravation of his injury earlier in the week. This development contradicted earlier reports that suggested Smith faced an "uphill" battle to play, and the Seahawks appeared to have prepared for the game without him. Smith's absence was notable, as he had taken over as the starting quarterback following the trade of Russell Wilson and was receiving almost round-the-clock treatment to recover from his injury.

In addition to Smith's situation, the Seahawks underwent changes in their secondary lineup due to injuries and performance. Cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Jamal Adams were declared inactive due to injuries, while Michael Jackson replaced cornerback Riq Woolen, who struggled in the previous game. Tre Brown returned to play the left corner, allowing Jackson to move to the right side. Artie Burns and Julian Love also started in place of injured players, showcasing the team's adaptability in the face of adversity.

Moreover, former Seahawks receiver Golden Tate, who also played for the Eagles, had the honor of raising the 12 Flag before the game. Tate's involvement in the pregame ceremony added a sentimental touch to the matchup, as he had been part of Seattle's Super Bowl championship team and later played for the Eagles.

While Smith's absence was a significant storyline, the Seahawks were also without WR Dee Eskridge and four other healthy scratches, including DL Myles Adams, RB Kenny McIntosh, and OLs Raiqwon O'Neal and McClendon Curtis. Overall, the game was marked by a series of unexpected developments, highlighting the unpredictable nature of professional football.