Smith-Njigba’s ankle adds concern to Seattle’s short week

Jaxon Smith-Njigba received no injury designation for Thursday night’s game at Denver after Seattle’s final report, putting the receiver on track to play following his ankle issue. Leonard Williams also has no game designation.

The Seahawks ruled linebackers Drake Thomas and Chazz Surratt out with ankle and calf injuries, respectively. Zach Charbonnet is also out; Seattle will not activate the running back from the physically unable to perform list for this game. Mike Macdonald said Tyrice Knight will step in at middle linebacker for Thomas.

Earlier reporting: Monday, October 12

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has joined Seattle’s injury report with an ankle injury as the Seahawks prepare for Thursday’s visit to Denver. The team estimated him as a limited participant Monday, when neither Seattle nor Denver held a practice.

Smith-Njigba finished Sunday’s 32-29 loss to San Francisco after having his ankle heavily taped in the first half, NBC Sports reported. He caught five passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. The Monday designation begins the short week’s availability assessment; Seattle has not ruled him out of the Broncos game.

The Seahawks’ report also added backup quarterback Drew Lock with a right forearm injury. Lock, defensive tackle Leonard Williams and guard Beau Stephens were estimated as limited, while linebackers Chazz Surratt and Drake Thomas were estimated as nonparticipants.

Thomas injured his ankle against San Francisco but returned to the game, according to the team. Surratt has missed the past two games with a calf injury. Williams played Sunday after injuring his ankle in Seattle’s Week 4 win over the Chargers.

Running back Zach Charbonnet remains on the physically unable to perform list. He was estimated as limited Monday, but coach Mike Macdonald said a Thursday return was unlikely.

“As of right now, the answer is no, subject to change,” Macdonald said in Seattle’s official report. He said the return decision requires agreement that Charbonnet is ready, confident and sufficiently prepared for an NFL game.

The distinction matters across Monday’s list: estimated participation describes what the staff believes a player could have done in a practice. It does not establish that Smith-Njigba practiced, that Charbonnet has been activated, or that a nonparticipant will miss Thursday’s game.

Seattle Times reporter Andrew Destin shared the same estimated report Monday.

Sources

NBC Sports: Smith-Njigba estimated limited after ankle issue · Week 6 estimated injury report

Sources for the final Wednesday update

Seahawks: final Thursday availability · FOX13: Seattle’s final injury decisions