Seahawks QB Geno Smith exits with knee injury against Green Bay and will undergo testing

SEATTLE (AP) — An awkward hit ended quarterback Geno Smith’s night and may have done serious damage to the Seahawks’ playoff chances.

Smith left Seattle’s 30-13 loss to Green Bay on Sunday night with a right knee injury and was replaced by Sam Howell midway through the third quarter. The injury doomed the Seahawks’ comeback attempt and put a serious chill on their hopes for an NFC West title. They dropped into a tie atop the division with the Los Angeles Rams, who beat the Seahawks earlier this season and host them to end the season.

Smith will undergo scans on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.

“It’s tough,” linebacker Ernest Jones IV said. “Geno’s the heartbeat of this offense, the heartbeat of this team and one of our leaders. So obviously, you don’t want to see him get hurt. But we’ve got confidence in Sam, confidence in the guys behind him. So, I pray everything is OK with Geno. But we’ve got to be ready to go.”

Smith went down on a low hit by linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who rolled over Smith’s leg. He tried to walk off the field, went down, then got up again and limped to the sideline, where he threw his helmet. He walked to the locker room with trainers a short time later.

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said there did not appear to be any structural damage to Smith’s right knee. Smith returned to the sideline with an ice bag held in place by a bandage, and Macdonald said the team considered allowing him to return until a late turnover put the game out of reach.

Howell, acquired in an offseason trade with Washington, completed 5 of 14 passes for 24 yards with an interception and led one touchdown drive.

Smith entered the night ranking second in the league in attempts, completions and passing yards and was on the way to breaking all the Seahawks single-season marks he set last year.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Geno, and just watching him through his career how he’s reinvented himself,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “And he’s playing really good football — I mean, you’re not the second-ranked passing leader in this game for no reason.”

Smith, who was not available to speak to reporters, struggled before he was hurt. He threw his fourth end-zone interception this season, tying the Browns’ Jameis Winston for the NFL high, when Carrington Valentine picked him off late in the first quarter. He was 15 of 19 for 149 yards and the pick, and Seattle trailed 20-6 when he left.

Howell said he’d be ready if called upon when the Seahawks host the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday.

“I prepare every week like I’m going to start,” Howell said. “But if I am playing, just getting those reps in practice will be important, and you just getting the whole week to get ready to go will be a big thing and I’ve got to make sure I’m doing the right things to prepare myself for Sunday.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Seattle Seahawks' Geno Smith throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Green Bay Packers' Rashan Gary sacks Seattle Seahawks' Geno Smith during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks' Geno Smith is hurt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks' Geno Smith is hurt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Dylan Guenther had two goals and an assist, Jack McBain added a goal and two assists, and the Utah Mammoth beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 on Tuesday night.

Daniil But, JJ Peterka and Michael Carcone each had a goal and an assist, Ian Cole each had two assists, and Barrett Hayon added an assist for Utah, which extended its point streak to 4-0-1. Karel Vejmelka had 19 saves while getting his NHL-leading 21st win.

Calle Jarnkrok scored as Toronto snapped a four game win streak and a 10-game point streak. Dennis Hildeby finished with 34 saves.

Guenther scored his two goals just 1:18 apart early in the second period, the fastest back-to-back goals by a single player in Mammoth franchise history, and pushed Utah's lead to 3-0. The sharp-shooting forward leads Utah with 23 goals on the season.

Peterka made it a four-goal lead with 4 1/2 minutes remaining in the second before Jarnkrok spoiled Vejmelka’s shutout bid 3:30 into the third.

McBain and But scored 3:25 apart late in the third to cap the scoring.

Carcone scored the first goal 3:22 into the game on a one-timer off a cross-ice pass from Nate Schmidt. Carcone, who grew up just north of Toronto, has scored Utah's opening goal in the last three matchups.

Sean Durzi had a cut on his face after colliding with Auston Matthews in the second period but returned to skate in the third.

Late in the first period, But seemed to have scored but officials whistled a face-off while the puck was still free.

Toronto: At Vegas on Thursday night.

Utah: Hosts Dallas on Thursday night to continue a seven-game homestand.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/nhl

Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) jumps over Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) hockey stick during the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Toronto Maple Leafs center Calle Jarnkrok (19) scores against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) shoots the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby (35) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) moves the puck on the ice against Toronto Maple Leafs center Steven Lorentz (18) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton (27) shoots the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby (35) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)