Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was sent to the locker room in the Super Bowl with an apparent head injury, a potentially significant blow in an offensively challenged game.
The star wide receiver was hurt in the second quarter, being forced to head to the sidelines. He was reportedly evaluated for a concussion, spending some time in the blue medical tent before being taken to the locker room.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Evaluated for Concussion in Super Bowl
As NFL reporter Ayre Pulli noted, Smith-Njigba remained out after the Seahawks held the New England Patriots to a third-and-out.
“#Seahawks WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba has yet to emerge from the medical tent as the offense is getting ready to take the field,” Pulli shared in a post on X.
When he went into the medical tent, the Seahawks receiver followed by an independent concussion evaluator, who reviewed a play where Smith-Njigba’s head hit the turf after he was not.
It was not clear if Smith-Njigba would be able to return.
Smith-Njigba continued his ascent to the top of the wide receiver chart this season, approaching 1,800 yards while leading the Seahawks to a 14-3 record and first overall seed in the NFC. As the NFL Honors approached and he became the favorite to win Offensive Player of the Year, Smith-Njigba gave credit to his teammates.
“So football’s the ultimate team sport and having Sam back there, doing this thing, you know, I wouldn’t be in this position without him and Coach Kubiak putting me in position,” he said, via 247 Sports. “Mike Macdonald and how he just brought all of us together. Our defense, too, it’s a collective thing. I would give credit to them.”
Smith-Njigba also credited the coaching staff for trusting him with such a big role this season, saying he’s grateful for the opportunities and determined to make the most of each one.
Defenses Dominate in Super Bowl
Seattle’s defense had a difficult time sustaining drives against the aggressive Patriots defense through the first three quarters, with quarterback Sam Darnold completing less than 50% of his passes as the fourth quarter began. The Seahawks did find success on the ground, with running back Kenneth Walker III crossing the 100-yard mark before the fourth quarter.
Though he earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors this season, Smith-Njigba struggled to make an impact in the Super Bowl as both defenses dominated. He made three receptions for 24 yards through three quarters, often being blanketed by New England’s secondary.
The Seahawks may not have needed Smith-Njigba, forcing a Drake Maye fumble early in the fourth quarter and converting it into the first touchdown of the Super Bowl, giving them a 19-0 lead.
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