Ahead of their Week 3 game against the New Orleans Saints, the Seattle Seahawks have an update on star WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is listed as questionable heading into the game.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Smith-Njigba has what sources describe as “a bug” and should be good to go against the Saints with no restrictions. However, Seattle wants to see how he’s feeling today and how he handles pre-game warmups before making a final determination, which is why he’s listed as questionable.
Schefter later posted on X, “Seahawks are expecting Jaxon Smith-Njigba to play today after he began experiencing “flu-like symptoms” Saturday, per source.
As the Seahawks‘ top option in the passing game this year, Smith-Njigba has 17 receptions for 227 yards through two games this season. He has yet to find the end zone, but Seattle QB Sam Darnold looks to him early and often. His loss would be a major setback for the Seahawks, so it’s good news that he’ll likely suit up and play today against the Saints.
The New-Look Seattle Seahawks Offense is Clicking
Justin K. Aller/GettyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 14: Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after a catch during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The Seahawks made waves this offseason by radically reshaping their offense. Out was three-year starting quarterback Geno Smith, traded away to the Raiders to join his former head coach, Pete Carroll, in Las Vegas. Smith led the Seahawks to a playoff berth in 2022, and while Seattle hadn’t made the playoffs since, he had them in contention down the stretch in both 2023 and 2024.
The bigger shake-up, however, came shortly after the Smith trade. Top wide receiver D.K. Metcalf was traded to the Steelers, raising eyebrows across the league. Metcalf had never taken the jump to a bona fide top-five receiver in the league, but he’s a supremely athletic player and one of the most consistent producers across the entire NFL.
So far, however, the Seattle offense doesn’t seem too much worse for the wear. QB Sam Darnold, signed to replace Smith, is playing well. Through two games, he has 445 passing yards on a 67.5-percent completion rate. Seattle’s rushing attack is heating up, with both RBs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet having big games. Free agent signee WR Cooper Kupp hasn’t lived up to his billing yet, but it’s still early. On the whole, the Seahawks offense is performing well, and Smith-Njigba is at the center of it.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Has Established Himself as a Go-To Option for the Seattle Seahawks
The first receiver taken in the 2023 draft at No. 20 overall, Smith-Njigba spent his rookie season playing a complementary role next to WRs Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. He had 63 catches for 628 yards and four touchdowns that year, operating mostly out of the slot as a possession receiver.
Last year, however, he took a massive leap forward, supplanting the two Seattle legends next to him in the pecking order at wide receiver. With 100 receptions for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns, he established himself as a primary receiving option in the NFL. Smith-Njigba’s emergence made the Seahawks comfortable trading Metcalf away to the Steelers, paving the way for Smith-Njigba’s continued ascendance.
Seahawks Get Update on WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Status Before Saints Game