ATLANTA – DK Metcalf's big game for Seattle ended when the star receiver was carted off the field in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.
Even with the Seahawks' 34-14 victory in Atlanta all but certain, the sight of Metcalf leaving the field Sunday in a cart was deflating for quarterback Geno Smith.
“Man, my heart skipped a beat,” Smith said.
Smith felt responsible for Metcalf's injury. He said he thought his pass to Metcalf put the receiver in a dangerous position.
“You know, I was there telling him, 'I have free massages all week, man,'” Smith said. “You know, I put him in a difficult situation right there. And yet, whatever he has to do to get him healthy again, we have to get him back because he's a guy we need.”
Metcalf had four receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown before landing hard on an incomplete field late in the third quarter. The Seahawks announced that Metcalf's return was questionable shortly before he left the field in a cart.
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Before being retired, Metcalf tested the knee on the bench. The team did not specify which knee was injured, but a trainer was seen examining Metcalf's right leg on the sideline.
Coach Mike Macdonald said the initial outlook on Metcalf was encouraging.
“He banged his knee a little bit, so I'm not sure how serious it was,” Macdonald said. “We're optimistic right now, so it's not looking too bad.”
Metcalf, a two-time All-Professional selection, has 35 receptions for 568 yards and three touchdowns this season.
Metcalf's 31-yard landing reception late in the first half gave Seattle a 17-7 lead. The Seahawks kept their offense on the field with 10 seconds left instead of going for a field goal. Smith connected with Metcalf under the goal posts.
“We've shown over the three years I've been here that we're going to take that opportunity if it's available,” Smith said.
“The protection was excellent. “DK ran a great route and we were able to get to the end zone.”
The Seahawks (4-3) snapped a three-game losing streak.
“We came out and played with a lot of hunger today from start to finish,” Smith said. “It would have been easy for everyone to be negative after losing three games, but I thought the energy was spectacular.”
Smith threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Kenneth Walker III overcame the flu symptoms that put him on the injury report Saturday by rushing for 69 yards and a touchdown and adding two receptions for 24 yards and a score.
“I had doubts,” Walker said when asked about his status before the game. “Our training staff did a great job helping me.”
Macdonald said Walker “was pretty sick, but he got through it.”
Smith said players would remember the performance as Walker's “flu game.”
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