Jaxon Smith-Njigba's rookie season might not start on time.
The Seahawks wide receiver is set to undergo wrist surgery for a slight fracture and could miss three to four weeks, Seattle head coach Pete Carroll told reporters on Tuesday. Smith-Njigba suffered the wrist injury Saturday in Seattle's Week 2 preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport initially reported Tuesday morning that Smith-Njigba's injury would require surgery, but a recovery timeline was to be determined. Now, it's seems as though a return for the team's season opener Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams is a longshot, and missing more than one game could be a possibility with that timetable.
JSN will now have to complete another period of rest and recovery -- much like how he spent most of his final season at Ohio State due to a hamstring injury -- instead of finishing the ramp-up process for the 18-week regular season.
On the bright side for Seattle, the Seahawks aren't putting a majority of their hopes on Smith-Njigba's shoulders. They have DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and an offensive cast filled with enough weapons to do the job without Smith-Njigba.
It sounds as if it should still be little more than a temporary absence. For those who were waiting for Seattle's season opener against the Rams for their first look at Smith-Njigba in games that count, well, you just might have to wait a little bit longer.
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