DE King to miss Hawks final 2 games

  • SCOTT M. JOHNSON / Herald Writer
  • Monday, December 11, 2000 9:00pm
  • Sports

By SCOTT M. JOHNSON

Herald Writer

KIRKLAND – If the Seattle Seahawks are going to knock of the AFC West-leading Oakland Raiders this weekend, they’ll have to do it without their top pass rusher.

Defensive end Lamar Smith, the team’s No. 1 draft pick in 1999, is expected to miss the final two games of the season because of a dislocated shoulder he suffered against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

“He might have played his last game this year,” coach Mike Holmgren said Monday.

King has a team-high six sacks in his first season as a starter.

Also injured in the game were defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy and Jay Bellamy, who will be further evaluated this week. Kennedy tore a ligament in his thumb and may have to play with a cast, while Bellamy is expected to undergo tests on an injured back. Holmgren said Bellamy could miss some practice time this week.

Veteran Matt LaBounty is expected to start in King’s place, although rookie John Hilliard will also see playing time.

Also expected to miss the game is quarterback Brock Huard, who has been out since Nov. 26 with a bruised kidney.

“We’re testing him every day,” Holmgren said. “And until those tests come in pretty negative – his blood cells are completely out of there – they’re not going to let him play.”

  • Saturday’s game sold out: For only the second time this season, a Seahawks home game has been sold out.

    The contest this Saturday has something to do with the Raiders’ position atop the AFC West.

    Because all available tickets have been sold, the game will be televised locally.

    The Seahawks’ first five home games were blacked out locally, but this marks the second consecutive contest at Husky Stadium that will be televised.

  • Second look: Holmgren was so upset with some of the officiating in Sunday’s loss that he placed a call to the league. But after discussing two of the main plays in question, he was in better spirits Monday.

    Holmgren was most upset about an intentional grounding call on Jon Kitna in the first quarter. Kitna threw the ball toward Ricky Watters’ feet on a screen pass, and officials threw a penalty flag. Holmgren said a recent change in the language regarding that rule meant that Kitna was in fact in the wrong.

    “By the letter of the law, (the official) was right,” Holmgren said, referring to the fact that quarterbacks are now being discouraged from intentionally throwing the ball into the ground. “But I don’t agree with it.”

    On another call, Broncos running back Mike Anderson was awarded a touchdown even though his knee appeared to have touched the ground before the ball crossed the end zone line. Television replays were inconclusive, so the call on the field eventually stood up.

    “By the instant replay standards, if you don’t have really strong evidence to the contrary, that call has to stand,” Holmgren said. “So I actually, looking at it, I figured (the official did) the correct thing there.”

  • Quick slants: After taking Monday off, the players will practice every day this week. … Pro Bowl voting is expected to be announced today, although it would not be a shock if no Seahawks are named. Running back Ricky Watters and linebackers Chad Brown and Anthony Simmons are the most deserving Seattle candidates.
    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Sports

    Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
    Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

    The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

    Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

    Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

    Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

    In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

    Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
    Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

    The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

    Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

    Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

    Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Rashard Robinson (33) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer / Bay Area News Group / Tribune News Services)
    Sports psychologist changed Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin’s outlook

    The former receiver overcame intense emotions during his player career

    Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

    The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

    NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

    Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

    AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
    AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

    Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

    Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

    Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

    George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

    Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

    Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
    Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

    Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.