Man, talk about a brutal start to a game. Falcons defensive end Za’Darius Smith went down with a nasty injury at the 12:57 mark in the first quarter of their game. This wasn’t just some run-of-the-mill tangle, he took a full-on knee to the head, and it put his return in serious doubt right from the jump.
That Brutal First Quarter Hit
The play itself was just ugly to watch. Smith got blocked to the ground by Saints left tackle Asim Richards. While he was lying there, Falcons defensive end Brandon Dorlus’ left knee slammed right into Smith’s helmet. You never want to see that. Smith stayed on the ground, and after the Falcons’ medical crew checked him out, they called for a cart. But, credit to Smith, he waved it off and walked off the field under his own power. He immediately headed to the training room, where he’s being evaluated for both a concussion and a neck injury. His status to return to the game is questionable. You just hope it’s nothing long-term after a hit like that.
Their Best Pass Rusher Down While Pitts Remains a Ghost
This is a huge blow for the Falcons, especially with Za’Darius Smith leading the team with 2.5 sacks. Losing your top pass rusher, even for part of a game, is going to sting. Meanwhile, another head-scratcher from that Falcons game: tight end Kyle Pitts. The guy didn’t even start, and he’s only seen one snap through two whole series. The team’s telling ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge that Pitts is healthy, but Charlie Woerner, Nick Muse, and Austin Hooper are all getting more snaps than him. What is going on down there? It’s wild to have that kind of talent on the sideline when you’re already dealing with a major injury.
While some teams are dealing with these kind of headaches, we had our own squad laying down the law. The Seahawks took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling out a 30-23 win. It’s always good to see our guys come through, and this win sets a good tone as we look ahead. It’s time to keep that momentum rolling!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply