Seattle Seahawks rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s availability for the start of the regular season is in jeopardy after suffering a broken wrist in a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Head coach Pete Carroll on Tuesday confirmed reports of the injury, telling reporters Smith-Njigba has a “slight fracture.” Smith-Njigba is scheduled to see a specialist is expected to undergo surgery. Carroll said his initial timeline to return is three to four weeks. The Seahawks open their season on September 10 against the Los Angeles Rams.
“We remain optimistic,” Carroll said when asked about Smith-Njigba’s availability in Week 1.
Smith-Njigba made his marks in the two preseason games he played, catching six passes for 83 yards. He reportedly broke a bone in his wrist on Sunday during a 22-14 win over the Cowboys. It happened in the second quarter when he made a beautiful 48-yard catch.
The game is shown below, with the 21-year-old appearing to land hard on his wrist when knocked down near the goal line.
He was selected with the 20th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft from Ohio State, joining a group of receivers that included DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Smith-Njigba opened training camp as he recovered from a hamstring injury that limited him to three games with the Buckeyes last season. Gradually joining full participation in June, Carroll had nothing but positive things to say to reporters:
“Oh man, he’s really natural,” Carroll said. “He’s really a natural athlete, gifted in his timing, in and out of breaks and stuff, and his feeling. He also has, what we saw in training at school, a big change of direction in him, and he has the amazing ability to get in and out of his corners.”
The Seahawks will have to sit without receiver Dee Eskridge for the first six games of the season due to an NFL suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Dareke Young, who is expected to be the supporting receiver, has missed time with a hip/groin injury.
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon was the Seahawks’ other pick in the 2023 first round pick, placing No. 5 overall. He has been out since August 7 with a hamstring injury.
