Week 9 saw the NFL world robbed of an extremely compelling quarterback matchup, Aaron Rodgers left to watch from home as the Green Bay Packers fell to defeat against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, Rodgers is set to return from his controversial coronavirus-enforced hiatus on Sunday at Lambeau Field, where he will face another likely future Hall of Fame quarterback set to return to the field.

Russell Wilson lived up to praise from head coach Pete Carroll, who described him as "one of the great healers of all time" after a finger injury suffered in the Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, surpassing expectations by recovering in time to lead the Seattle Seahawks against Green Bay as they bid to salvage their season.

The Seahawks are not dead at 3-5. Seattle enter the week just a game out of the final Wild Card berth; however, Wilson and Co. have little room for error ahead of a road game with a member of the NFC's elite.

It is a contest that may be decided by which quarterback can shake off the rust faster. Wilson has been on the sideline longer, but Rodgers will enter the game having missed two weeks of practice amid the fallout from his positive test and his comments around his vaccination status.

What other factors will play a role in determining the outcome of an enticing quarterback battle? Stats Perform digs into the numbers to answer that question.

Can Collins gash Packers on ground?

The Packers defense has quietly been one of the best in the NFL when it comes to limiting efficient production from their opponents.

Indeed, Green Bay rank fifth in opponent yards per play allowed, giving up just 5.27.

However, the Packers have proven susceptible to the run, with only six teams allowing more yards per rush than Green Bay's 4.55.

With Chris Carson still unavailable for the Seahawks, the onus will be on Alex Collins to take advantage of the Packers' apparent vulnerability on rush defense.

Collins has proven adept at making the most of his carries even on plays where the defense gets into the backfield. He is putting up 3.00 yards per carry on attempts where there is a run disruption, above the league average of 2.80.

His ability to excel in that regard could be key in getting the Packers' defense out of looks that have proven successful against Wilson.

Two-high looks could spell trouble for Wilson

In last week's loss to the Chiefs, the Packers played a significant amount of two-deep safety coverages to deal with the threat of Mahomes and a usually explosive pass game that has stuttered this season.

It worked as the Chiefs were held to just 13 points, and the numbers suggest Green Bay will lean on two-high looks again to try to slow down Wilson on his return.

When faced with Cover 2 this season, Wilson has delivered an accurate, well-thrown ball 80.0 per cent of the time; the league average is 83.4.

He has fared even worse against Cover 4 or 'Quarters', posting a well-thrown percentage of 72.4 (79.6 per cent is the average), and that number dips further to 62.5 per cent versus cover 6 (average 77.3 per cent).

Against Tampa 2, which is a variant of Cover 2 with a linebacker dropping into the deep middle at the snap, Wilson's well-thrown percentage is 75.0, again below the average of 82.7.

Wilson has already outperformed expectations by returning this quickly from injury and has made a career out of making the improbable possible. Yet, if Collins cannot succeed on the ground and force the Packers to bring a safety down into the box to stop the run, it could be a difficult day for Wilson facing coverages against which he has not excelled.

Seahawks must capitalise on Bakhtiari blow

The Packers had hoped to have David Bakhtiari back at left tackle, but he was listed as doubtful on the injury report as he attempts to make his return from a knee injury.

Bakhtiari's likely absence is a boost to a Seahawks defense that may see its best hope of slowing down Rodgers as being in their ability to get consistent pressure on the reigning MVP and magnify the impact of any potential rust.

While the Seahawks are a middle-of-the-road defense in terms of yards per play, in which they rank 16th (5.55), they are a top-half unit when it comes to creating pressure.

Their 139 pressures this season are 13th in the NFL and, in Rodgers, they are facing a quarterback who has proven particularly susceptible to opposing pass rushes in 2021.

Only team-mate Jordan Love (40.0) and Zach Wilson (53.7) have worse well-thrown percentages than Rodgers (55.2) when under duress among quarterbacks to have attempted 10 passes under pressure.

And Rodgers' pickable pass rate of 8.62 per cent under pressure is substantially worse than the average for quarterbacks (min. 10 attempts) of 4.82.

The spotlight will be firmly on Rodgers after a fortnight he will not forget in a hurry. It is the Seahawks, though, who enter the game with their backs against the wall, and it may take an instrumental performance from Collins and a potent pass rush to prevent Seattle slipping further towards playoff irrelevance.

The Seattle Seahawks activated star quarterback Russell Wilson from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers.

Wilson has been sidelined since injuring the middle finger on his right hand during an October 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The one-time NFL Super Bowl champion was initially facing six to eight weeks out but has returned early, while rookie receiver Dee Eskridge has also been activated from IR, putting the Seahawks at near full strength for the Packers clash.

"He has had a terrific week," Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told reporters on Friday.

"You could see him just feel a little bit better as the week went on, but he really didn't hold anything back and he finished great the last couple of days and he's ready to go."

Wilson has started five games this season, with a completion rate of 72.0 per cent for 1,196 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception.

His injury ended a 10-year run of starts, the sixth-longest such streak of any quarterback in NFL history, and the longest of any QB currently active within the league.

Carroll added: "I expect him to [play] just like he always plays. I don't expect anything different. Not a thing different. He is pretty hungry to play football now. He missed it. So we've got to make sure that he stays clear and all that about this opportunity.

"If anything, I'm just worried that he's too excited, too amped up. But he'll be fine. Really, I'm just so impressed with how this thing has worked out and that he's gotten us to this point, and really fired up to see him play football."

Sunday's game, however, is too soon for running back Chris Carson, who is closing in on a return from a neck injury.

Before a bye last week, the Seahawks (3-5) beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at home 31-7. Seattle are 7-4 (63.6) in the first game coming off a bye week since Carroll became head coach in 2010, per Stats Perform.

DK Metcalf has eight touchdowns in the Seahawks' eight games this season. That matches the best mark by a Seattle player through the team's first eight games with Daryl Turner in 1985 and Metcalf himself last year. Metcalf finished 2020 with 10 total TD catches.

Seattle have 20 red-zone drives this season – third fewest in the NFL – but has scored touchdowns on 75.0 percent of those drives, second best in the NFL. The Packers' defense have allowed touchdowns on 76.0 per cent of red-zone drives, second worst in the NFL.

The Seattle Seahawks have activated quarterback Russell Wilson from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers.

Wilson has been sidelined since injuring the middle finger on his right hand during an October 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The quarterback was initially facing six to eight weeks out but has returned early, while rookie receiver Dee Eskridge has also been activated from injured reserve putting the Seahawks at near full strength.

"He has had a terrific week," Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told 710 ESPN Seattle. "You could see him just feel a little bit better as the week went on, but he really didn't hold anything back and he finished great the last couple of days and he's ready to go."

He added: "I expect him to [play] just like he always plays. I don't expect anything different. Not a thing different. He is pretty hungry to play football now. He missed it. So we've got to make sure that he stays clear and all that about this opportunity.

"If anything, I'm just worried that he's too excited, too amped up. But he'll be fine. Really, I'm just so impressed with how this thing has worked out and that he's gotten us to this point, and really fired up to see him play football."

Wilson has started five games this season, with a completion rate of 72.0 per cent for 1,196 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception.

The one-time Super Bowl champion's injury ended a 10-year run of starts, the sixth-longest such streak of any quarterback in NFL history, and the longest of any QB currently active within the league.

Sunday's game, however, is too soon for running back Chris Carson, who is closing in on a return from a neck injury.

The Green Bay Packers are expecting reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to return against the Seattle Seahawks, but backup quarterback Jordan Love is ready to play.

Rodgers missed last weeks' 13-7 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs after the star quarterback was left on the sidelines, having tested positive for coronavirus.

The Rodgers-less Packers (7-2) fell short with Love under center in Kansas City, where Green Bay's seven-game winning streak came to an end.

While Rodgers has not practiced this week, the Packers are set to welcome back the 37-year-old on Sunday.

However, Love – who made his first career start against the Chiefs – is waiting in the wings to face the Seahawks at Lambeau Field.

"I think it's been a normal week for me, pretty similar to last week getting all the reps," Love, who was the 26th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, said on Friday.

"Just getting the game plan in, preparing like I'm going to be playing and then obviously the plan is for Aaron to be back Saturday so he'll be going.

"But for me, it's the same. Still playing the whole week and then we'll be ready for whatever happens."

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur added: "Had a lot of conversations with Aaron in that regard as to what he needs to be ready to go.

"It wouldn't be the first time in his career that he hadn't practiced an entire week and gone on and played a game.

"So as long as he's confident with what we're doing with him, then we'll see where he's at tomorrow [Saturday]."

The Packers have won nine straight home games against the Seahawks dating back to 2003 (including playoffs). It is Green Bay's longest home win streak against any opponent since 24 straight against the Detroit Lions (1992 to 2014), according to Stats Perform. Seattle's last win in Green Bay was in 1999.

Green Bay have scored seven or fewer points twice this season, tied for second most in the NFL. They have scored 24 or more in seven games, also tied for second most in the NFL.

Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson said he is close to "100 per cent" after returning from finger surgery.

Wilson is set to be involved against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, having been sidelined since injuring the middle finger on his right hand during an October 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The one-time Super Bowl champion's injury ended a 10-year run of starts, the sixth-longest such streak of any quarterback in NFL history, and the longest of any QB currently active within the league.

But Wilson – who was initially facing six to eight weeks out – is gearing up for his comeback against the Packers.

"I wasn't going to take six to eight," Wilson told reporters on Thursday. "That wasn't in my mind."

"I've been blessed to be able to play all the games I've been able to play and all the things I've been able to do so far in this league," Wilson said.

"I feel like it's a new beginning, it's a new start and I feel like it's time to get going again all over again."

Wilson added: "I feel great. I feel really close. I'm not 100 per cent yet, but I'm pretty dang close. I would say 90th percentile if not higher. I feel great.

"I've got great conviction about what I'm doing, how I'm doing it. My mindset is better than ever. I'm ready to roll and ready to go."

Before a bye last week, the Seahawks (3-5) beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at home 31-7. Seattle are 7-4 (63.6) in the first game coming off a bye week since Carroll became head coach in 2010, per Stats Perform.

DK Metcalf has eight touchdowns in the Seahawks' eight games this season. That matches the best mark by a Seattle player through the team's first eight games with Daryl Turner in 1985 and Metcalf himself last year. Metcalf finished 2020 with 10 total TD catches.

Seattle have 20 red-zone drives this season – third fewest in the NFL – but has scored touchdowns on 75.0 percent of those drives, second best in the NFL. The Packers' defense have allowed touchdowns on 76.0 per cent of red-zone drives, second worst in the NFL.

Russell Wilson "looks pretty good" as he steps up his return from finger surgery, according to Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.

Wilson returned to practice on Monday after the eight-time NFL Pro Bowler injured the middle finger on his right hand in an October 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The one-time Super Bowl champion's injury ended a 10-year run of starts, the sixth-longest such streak of any quarterback in NFL history, and the longest of any QB currently active within the league.

Wilson is in line to make his comeback for the Seahawks (3-5) against the Green Bay Packers (7-2) on Sunday.

"I've just seen him in the walk-through since then and you would never have known," Carroll said of the Seahawks star before Wednesday's practice.

"So I don't know what that means yet, but he looks pretty good."

"He doesn't have to wear anything unless he chooses to," Carroll said. "He has been experimenting with some stuff just to see what's out there for him."

Before a bye last week, the Seahawks beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at home 31-7. Seattle are 7-4 (63.6) in the first game coming off a bye week since Carroll became head coach in 2010, per Stats Perform.

DK Metcalf has eight touchdowns in the Seahawks' eight games this season. That matches the best mark by a Seattle player through the team's first eight games with Daryl Turner in 1985 and Metcalf himself last year. Metcalf finished 2020 with 10 total TD catches.

Seattle have 20 red-zone drives this season – third fewest in the NFL – but has scored touchdowns on 75.0 percent of those drives, second best in the NFL. The Packers' defense have allowed touchdowns on 76.0 per cent of red-zone drives, second worst in the NFL.

 

The Seattle Seahawks will be able to call on Russell Wilson against the Green Bay Packers after the quarterback recovered from a serious finger injury.

Wilson, an eight-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion, injured the middle finger on his right hand in an October 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

His injury ended a 10-year run of starts, the sixth-longest such streak of any quarterback in NFL history, and the longest of any QB currently active within the league.

The 32-year-old underwent surgery for the problem, which renowned specialist Dr Steve Shin has described as the most severe injury to the throwing hand of an NFL quarterback he had ever seen.

However, Wilson has now been cleared for a return, with his first game back set to be the Week 10 clash with the Packers, who are themselves expected to welcome back Aaron Rodgers after his COVID-19 enforced lay off.

In a statement posted to the Seahawks' official website, Dr Shin explained Wilson's remarkable recovery.

"On October 7, 2021, Russell Wilson sustained severe injuries to the middle finger of his right (throwing) hand during a game," the statement read.

"He had immediate surgery the following day in the form of a repair of a fracture-dislocation of his proximal interphalangeal joint and an extensor tendon rupture (mallet finger).

"Although this was uncharted territory (I have never in my career seen such a severe injury to the throwing hand of an NFL quarterback), I have also never encountered a player so committed to his postoperative therapy and with so much conviction to return to the same, if not better, level of performance as he had pre-injury.

"I am absolutely amazed at his progress, so much so that I can now confidently clear him for full return to play without reservation."

As he was placed on Seattle's injured reserve list, Wilson had to miss a minimum of three games.

Without him, the Seahawks beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints. Seattle stand at a disappointing 3-5 after eight games in 2021.

Shortly before Seattle's confirmation, Wilson had tweeted "it's time", along with a video of him working his way back to fitness.

DeMario Davis delivered a supreme defensive effort and earned plaudits from coach Sean Payton after the New Orleans Saints rallied for a 13-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

The Saints linebacker impressed for the visitors with 10 tackles in all as he and his team-mates had five sacks in the hard-earned victory at Lumen Field.

"We take a lot of pride in our defense," Davis said. "We've got to be able to play complementary football. We have a very high standard for our group and there's no other way that we would take it. Defense on the field with the game on the line. We get excited, and we play with a lot of energy in those situations."

Speaking about the string of sacks, which went 5-2 in New Orleans' favour, Davis said: "That's a credit to the cover guys. We can take away the first read, and he has to hold the ball. Credit to the D coordinator and the D line having a good rush plan for us. And then guys just executing their job.

"It's fun to play on defense when you know that all you have to do is do your job and it's going to work. Guys did their job. I think we were getting pressures early on, but we weren't getting them to the ground, we've got to find a way to get him on the ground."

Payton was full of appreciation as he watched on, with the Saints recovering from allowing a stunning 84-yard pass from Geno Smith (12 for 22 passes, 167 yards and one touchdown) to star team-mate DK Metcalf.

With Davis on his game, Payton savoured watching his team improve to 4-2 for the season, dealing the Seahawks (2-5) a fourth straight loss.

The Saints coach said of Davis: "Man, I just love the way he leads and plays with enthusiasm. He's really developed into not just run but pass as well. He's someone who has good instincts, can close the cushion on a run or a play in space. He tackles well. He's playing well, and I'm sure when we look at the tape, we'll see a lot of good efforts. That was a good hard-fought win."

There had been pre-game talk of a bomb cyclone hitting the Seattle area, but the worst-case weather threat failed to materialise.

Payton said such a forecast "kind of gets your attention", but in the end the storm was relatively tame, and the same could be said for the sniping among the sides.

Davis said of the at-times tetchy atmosphere: "Sometimes guys want to be tough on the field and talk after the play, and this is the most physical sport there is. You've got seven seconds to be as physical as you want to be, you got to prove it between the whistles.

"I'm never going to be the guy to talk after the whistles and doing extra because at that point you're just trying to bully someone. I've always been the guy that's going to bully the bully. And team-mates appreciate it when you have their back like that.

"I try to stay pretty level-headed between the whistles and while I'm on the field, but I'm always going to have my team-mates' back, and I think they appreciate it, and it gives them motivation."

Alvin Kamara's 13-yard touchdown reception gave New Orleans their lone TD of the night. Kamara caught 10 passes for 128 yards, becoming the first running back with eight-plus receptions and 100-plus receiving yards in the first half of a game since 2004.

Kamara said of his own effort: "I didn't know what to expect. Every game has a life in of its own self and the flavour of this week ended up getting a lot of touches."

The New Orleans Saints flexed their defensive muscles in a hard-fought 13-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks in NFL action on Monday.

This was the first meeting where neither future Hall of Famer Drew Brees (retired) nor Russell Wilson (injured) started at quarterback since 2004, per Stats Perform.

Leading the Saints following Brees' retirement, Jameis Winston (19-of-35 passing for 222 yards, one touchdown and two sacks) helped New Orleans improve to 4-2 for the season against the slumping Seahawks – who dropped their fourth consecutive game – in Seattle.

But it was a defensive battle at Lumen Field, where Saints linebacker Demario Davis fuelled the visitors with five sacks and multiple tackles.

The Seahawks set the tone in the opening quarter following a stunning 84-run pass from Geno Smith (12 for 22 passes, 167 yards and one touchdown with five sacks) to star team-mate DK Metcalf.

It was the longest pass TD for the Seahawks since an 87-yard connection from Matt Hasselbeck to Ben Obomanu in 2010 and the third-longest in franchise history.

New Orleans, though, took a 10-7 leading into half-time thanks to Brian Johnson's 21-yard field goal and Alvin Kamara's 13-yard touchdown reception – the team's lone TD.

Kamara caught 10 passes for 128 yards, while he became the first running back with eight-plus receptions and 100-plus receiving yards in the first half of a game since 2004.

After Seattle kicker Jason Myers levelled proceedings with a monster 50-yard field goal in the third quarter, Johnson settled the contest by nailing his attempt two minutes from the end of the game.

The Seattle Seahawks have claimed Jacob Eason to bolster their quarterback depth with star Russell Wilson sidelined due to a finger injury.

Eason was waived by the Indianapolis Colts earlier this week, despite debuting as relief for starter Carson Wentz against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2 of the NFL season.

The 23-year-old Eason was a fourth-round pick in 2020, completing two of five attempts for 25 yards in his debut against the Rams, having not played as a rookie last year.

Washington native Eason joins Geno Smith as QBs on Seattle's 53-man roster along with Jake Luton and Danny Etling on their practice squad.

Smith completed 23 of 32 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown in the Seahawks' 23-20 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Super Bowl champion and eight-time Pro Bowler Wilson landed on injured reserve a fortnight ago, having injured his right middle finger in the loss to the Rams on October 7 before undergoing surgery.

The 32-year-old's 10-year run of starts was the sixth longest by any quarterback in NFL history, and the longest of any active QB.

Wilson will sit out at least two more games before he is eligible to come off IR.

The Seahawks (2-4) host the New Orleans Saints (3-2) on Monday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made T.J. Watt the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL before the season, and he delivered an emphatic reminder of why in their win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Pittsburgh moved to 3-3 on the year with a dramatic overtime triumph over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, with edge rusher Watt having a decisive say.

Watt was a constant thorn in the side of Seahawks backup quarterback Geno Smith, filling in for the injured Russell Wilson, and saved his biggest impact for overtime.

He sacked Smith for the first time in the extra period and did so again after the Steelers punted the ball back to Seattle, this time robbing him of possession in the process and giving Pittsburgh crucial field position deep in Seahawks territory.

That allowed Chris Boswell to hit a 37-yard game-winning field goal and clinch a 23-20 success.

Watt signed a four-year, $112million contract extension with $80m in guarantees back in September, a price Pittsburgh will be more than happy to pay if he maintains his stellar play.

"That's how he’s compensated," said head coach Mike Tomlin. "I don't think anyone is surprised by his ability to deliver in those moments."

His team-mate on the defensive front, Cameron Heyward, was certainly not shocked when Watt's pressure finally told in the most pivotal spot.

"I love the fourth quarter and the overtime by T.J.,” Heyward said. "All game, he was like, 'Man, I’m just not hitting home.' I told him it was going to come and just, 'Keep staying after it. You’re going to be great.'

"And when we needed it the most, he made his plays. What an emphatic play to end the game with a sack strip fumble. We needed it, and he's a hell of a player."

Chris Boswell made the game-winning kick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their 23-20 overtime defeat of the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, but T.J. Watt got the assist.  

All-Pro edge rusher Watt forced a fumble by Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith deep in Seattle territory with just over four minutes to play, setting up Boswell's decisive 37-yard field goal just over a minute later. 

After the teams traded punts on their opening possessions in overtime, Watt ran down a scrambling Smith at Seattle's 13-yard line and stripped the ball from the quarterback for the 20th forced fumble of his career – the most of any NFL player since Watt entered the league in 2017. 

It was fitting that defence played a key role in the outcome after both teams struggled to move the ball at times throughout the game. 

Pittsburgh opened the scoring nearly five minutes into the second quarter with a Ben Roethlisberger (29-of-40 passing for 229 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions) touchdown pass to Najee Harris and took a 14-0 lead into half-time. 

Seattle – without injured star quarterback Russell Wilson – answered after the break with a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter and eventually tied the game 17-17 on a Jason Myers field goal with 12:59 remaining in the fourth. 

Boswell then hit from 53 yards with 1:29 remaining before Myers answered from 43 at the buzzer to send it to overtime – though not without controversy. 

The Steelers believed they had the game won when Seattle's DK Metcalf fumbled after a reception and Seahawks receiver Freddie Swain recovered, leaving the visitors scrambling to stop the clock for a field-goal try. 

Officials then did it for them, stopping play for a video review while Smith tried to race to the line and spike the ball. Replay confirmed the initial play was ruled correctly but the stoppage gave the Seahawks time to spike it and set up Myers' game-tying try. 

Watt's big play in overtime ultimately rendered that complaint moot. 

Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson officially landed on injured reserve following finger surgery last week, the NFL franchise announced on Friday.

Wilson injured his right middle finger in the loss to the Los Angeles Rams on October 7 before undergoing surgery.

His10-year run of starts is the sixth longest by any quarterback in NFL history, and the longest of any active QB, but Wilson will now miss the first game of his illustrious career, which has yielded a Super Bowl title.

The eight-time Pro Bowler will sit out at least three games before the 32-year-old is eligible to come off IR.

Seahawks running back Chris Carson (neck) is also on injured reserve ahead of Sunday's clash with the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers.

Despite throwing two interceptions against the Rams, Seattle's three turnovers this season are their fewest through five games in franchise history, according to Stats Perform.

Geno Smith, projected to start for the injured Wilson, has a career interception rate of 4.0, the highest among active QBs with 500 career pass attempts.

DK Metcalf caught the Seahawks' only two touchdowns in the defeat to the Rams, bringing his career total to 25 receiving touchdowns in 40 NFL games (regular and postseason).

Only three other active players had as many or more TD catches after playing 40 NFL games. Odell Beckham Jr. had 34, Rob Gronkowski had 33 and Julio Jones also had 25 (regular and postseason).

Russell Wilson's run of 149 straight starts is set to come to an end due to a hand injury that is expected to rule the Seattle Seahawks quarterback out for at least a month.

The 32-year-old injured his finger on his throwing hand in Thursday's defeat to the Los Angeles Rams and flew to Los Angeles on Friday to see a hand specialist.

Wilson's 10-year run of starts is the sixth longest by any quarterback in NFL history, and the longest of any active quarterback, but he is now facing a spell on the sidelines.

According to reports, the injury will require surgery and Wilson could be out for as long as eight weeks.

Providing an update earlier on Friday, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said: "He's getting looked at by an expert.

"I don't know much more than last night. We've just got to wait and see what they assess.

"We'll know a lot more by the end of the day… But there's something going on.

"There's definitely something going on and we've got to figure out what the extent of it is, and what is the next step to deal with it."

Carroll will now turn to Geno Smith, who last started a game in 2017, against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Smith led two scoring drives after replacing Wilson against the Rams and Carroll has full belief in the backup quarterback.

"I thought Geno did a marvellous job last night," Carroll said. "Geno has been practicing with us for all this time waiting for his opportunity if called upon. 

"The patience that he's shown with us to stay with it, and his relationship with Russ and the coaches, he's been impeccable.

"He's a very talented football player. He's got a great arm, he's got great sense, and he knows the system really well. I totally trust that Geno can do this."

Pete Carroll described Russell Wilson as "one of the great healers of all time" but is not yet sure how long a "badly sprained finger" will keep the Seattle Seahawks' quarterback out of action for.

Wilson damaged the middle finger of his throwing hand during Thursday's damaging 26-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams that left the Seahawks 2-3 in the NFC West.

He managed to return for one series only to be replaced by Geno Smith, who led one touchdown drive before throwing for an interception that ultimately sealed the game for the 4-1 Rams.

Seahawks head coach Carroll said he was unsure if Wilson will need surgery and added: "There is a lot of work to be done in assessing all of that. 

"Russell is one of the great healers of all time and he'll do whatever he can to get back as soon as absolutely possible."

Wilson finished with 11-of-16 passing for 152 yards, a touchdown and an interception from a tipped throw, while Smith was 10-of-17 for 131 yards and also added 23 rushing yards.

Television pictures showed Wilson's finger bent in an unnatural position, while he was examined for several minutes by medical personnel on the Seahawks' bench.

"He wasn't able to hold onto the football the way he needed to, to throw it, because we were going to throw the ball, and we needed to throw it all over the place," Carroll added.

"We didn't know what he would be able to do. He was just unsure. If he could have, he would have."

Smith entered the fray early in the fourth quarter and completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf on the back of a 10-play, 98-yard drive. At that point, Smith was five-for-five and the Seahawks had trimmed the deficit to 16-14.

"Geno did a really, really good job, very much in command," Carroll said. 

"We were able to do all kinds of things with him out there. He handled all the communications beautifully and played really well. 

"We had a chance to win a football game. With all of that, we had a chance to win the football game with the ball in our hands and couple minutes to go."

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