SEATTLE — A game against the rival San Francisco 49ers is always important for the Seattle Seahawks, but Sunday’s game at CenturyLink Field was particularly special for one Seattle player.
Wide receiver Kevin Smith, activated from the practice squad during the week, played in his first NFL game on Sunday. Though he had no receptions, he was on the field for several offensive snaps as well as on the kickoff coverage team, and one snap with both the punt return and punt coverage teams.
“It was awesome,” Smith said. “It was awesome to come out here and do what I had to do to help the team get the win.”
Smith played four years at the University of Washington. After going undrafted, he was signed and released by both Arizona and Jacksonville before signing with Seattle prior to training camp.
The Seahawks released Smith after training camp and he did not play in 2014. He then re-signed with the Seahawks prior to this season and was released once again, but was later signed to the practice squad where he stayed for the season’s first 10 weeks.
Injury update
Seattle had five players leave the game with various injuries, though offensive linemen Justin Britt and J.R. Sweezy both returned after suffering neck/shoulder stingers.
Linebacker and special teams player Nick Moody left with a hamstring injury in the first half. Wide receiver Doug Baldwin went out with an ankle injury late in the game, and he is expected to have an MRI today. Center Patrick Lewis also had an ankle injury.
Shead gets the call
Cary Williams started at cornerback for Seattle on Sunday, but early in the second half the Seahawks made a switch, bringing in backup defensive back DeShawn Shead. Cornerback Richard Sherman followed San Francisco wide receiver Torrey Smith throughout the game, and Shead ended up playing the corner on the opposite side, as Williams had been doing earlier in the game.
“We were just trying to give a guy a chance to play and see what we have,” explained Seattle head coach Pete Carroll. “DeShawn Shead deserves a chance. … We’ll give guys opportunities and see how they do.”
As for Williams, “there’ve been some plays that were made that we just wanted to see some improvement on and see some carryover from weeks past. I thought it was time to give DeShawn a chance to see if he could do it.”
“(Shead) did a great job,” said Seattle defensive end Cliff Avril. “He comes in prepared and he’s ready for whatever he needs to do. Whether that’s playing corner, safety, nickel, he could probably play linebacker, too, if they asked him. You’re just happy that you have a guy like that. So versatile and so dedicated and so focused that he’s prepared to go in and play his role.”
Had it, dropped it
Seattle linebacker K.J. Wright had a sure interception in his hands late in the third quarter, only to lose control and have the ball fall incomplete. Two plays later the 49ers kicked a field goal, drawing within 23-13.
“I’m sure (my teammates and coaches) will give me crap about it,” Wright said wryly. “They’ll show it (on video) in front of the whole team. But it should blow over since we won.”
Big Unit back in Seattle
Former Seattle Mariners left-hander Randy Johnson, who was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame earlier this year, raised the 12th Man flag before the game. He got a big ovation from the CenturyLink Field crowd.
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