Russell Wilson’s status in the air after leaving Seattle Seahawks’ loss to Los Angeles Rams with a finger injury

SEATTLE – The Seattle Seahawks now have more than 2-3 starts and an early NFC West standings deficit to fear. For one of the few times in the past decade, Russell Wilson’s health is also of concern.

Wilson was eliminated from their 26-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams Thursday night after injuring his middle finger to his pitching hand in the third quarter. He returned for a streak but was replaced by Geno Smith, who led a touchdown to give Seattle hope, but then threw an interception on everything but sealing the Rams’ victory (4-1).

Speaking after the game, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll called his star QB’s injury a “badly sprained finger.” He said the team would continue to assess him and that it was too early to set a timeline for Wilson’s return.

Carroll also said he was unsure whether Wilson would need finger surgery.

The Seahawks will then travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on October 17. Wilson has a 149 straight start streak – the longest by an active quarterback.

Smith replaced Wilson early in the fourth quarter and threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf to reduce Los Angeles’ lead to 16-14. That topped a 10-play, 98-yard yardstick that Smith went 5 for 5 on, and there was the crowd at Lumen Field chanting “GE-NO! GE-NO!”

Wilson slammed his throwing hand against Aaron Donald on an incomplete third quarter. He was examined for several minutes on the sidelines by the Seahawks’ team medic and members of their athletic training team, who watched Wilson hold a soccer ball and then appeared to bandage his middle finger.

Wilson returned for the Seahawks’ next practice, throwing a pass on a three-and-out. He was replaced by Smith when Seattle regained possession. After Smith’s touchdown pass to Metcalf, Wilson ran to the sidelines to celebrate with his teammates, patting a player on the helmet with his left hand.

Wilson has never missed a game since joining the NFL in 2012.

Smith, 30, is in his third season with the Seahawks. In his first two, he had only attempted five passes on the cleaning service.

Smith’s touchdown pass was his first since 2017. His 98-yard run was the longest of his career and the Seahawks’ longest touchdown run since Week 17 of the 2018 season, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Before Thursday, the last Seahawk to throw a touchdown other than Wilson was wide receiver Doug Baldwin on a trick play in 2016.