DK Metcalf’s impressive game for Seattle came to an end when the star receiver was taken off the field in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.
Even though the Seahawks were leading 34-14 against Atlanta, seeing Metcalf leave on a cart was tough for quarterback Geno Smith.
“Man, my heart dropped,” Smith said. Smith felt guilty about Metcalf’s injury. He thought his throw to Metcalf put him in a risky situation.
“You know, I was over there just telling him, like, ‘Massages are on me through the week, man,’” Smith said. “You know, I put him in a tough spot right there. And whatever I’ve got to do to get him back healthy, however, we’ve got to get him back because he’s a guy that we need.”
Before his injury, Metcalf had four catches for 99 yards and a touchdown but landed hard while trying to make a catch late in the third quarter. The Seahawks announced that Metcalf was questionable to return just before he was taken off the field.
Before being carted away, Metcalf tested his knee on the sideline. The team didn’t specify which knee was hurt, but a trainer was seen looking at Metcalf’s right leg on the sideline.
Coach Mike Macdonald said the early signs for Metcalf were positive.
“He banged up his knee a little bit, so I’m not sure of the severity,” Macdonald said. “We’re optimistic at this point so it doesn’t look too bad.” Metcalf, a two-time All-Pro player, has 35 catches for 568 yards and three touchdowns this season.
His 31-yard touchdown catch late in the first half helped Seattle take a 17-7 lead. The Seahawks decided to keep their offense on the field with 10 seconds left instead of kicking a field goal. Smith found Metcalf in the end zone.
“We’ve shown over the course of the three years I’ve been here we’re going to take that shot if it’s available,” Smith said.
“The protection was great. DK ran a great route and we were able to get it in the end zone.” The Seahawks (4-3) ended a three-game losing streak.
“We came out and played very hungry today from the start to the finish,” Smith said. “It would have been easy for everyone to be negative after losing three games but I think the energy was spectacular.”
Smith threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Kenneth Walker III, who had flu symptoms that got him on the injury report on Saturday, rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown, and caught two passes for 24 yards and another score.
“I was iffy,” Walker said when asked about his status before the game. “Our training staff did a great job of helping me.”
Macdonald said Walker “was pretty sick, but he pulled through it.” Smith said players would remember this performance as Walker’s “flu game.”
