Smith-Njigba Returns After Early Injury Scare Against 49ers

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba returned to action after briefly leaving the team's Week 5 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The receiver exited in the first quarter after a hard fall following a catch, raising concerns about a potential injury during the divisional game.

Sports Yahoo reported that Smith-Njigba initially landed on his head during the play but was later seen limping along the sideline. The report suggested a possible leg injury, although it did not establish a definitive diagnosis. A subsequent update confirmed that he had returned to the game.

Smith-Njigba entered the matchup as Seattle's leading receiver, with 32 receptions for 481 yards and six touchdowns on 42 targets, according to 933 KJR. His production averaged 120.3 receiving yards per game, making his availability an important development for the Seahawks' passing offense.

The same report identified San Francisco as the NFL's 10th-ranked pass defense, allowing 209 passing yards per game. The 49ers had not surrendered a 100-yard receiving performance to an individual player during the 2026 season and had allowed four passing touchdowns, an average of one per game.

Smith-Njigba had recorded at least one touchdown reception in three of his first four games, including multiple touchdown catches in two contests. His six scores accounted for 46.2% of Seattle's 13 offensive touchdowns, while his 10 red-zone targets represented 52.6% of the team's 19 passing attempts in that area, according to 933 KJR.

His season began with eight catches for 122 yards and one touchdown against the New England Patriots on September 9, 2026. He followed that performance with nine receptions for 155 yards and three touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals on September 20, then caught 10 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns against the Washington Commanders on September 27.

Against the Los Angeles Chargers on October 4, Smith-Njigba recorded five receptions for 76 yards on six targets without a touchdown. Those figures left him with 32 catches, 481 yards and six touchdowns entering the 49ers matchup, according to 933 KJR.

Smith-Njigba had also averaged 75.7 receiving yards per game across three appearances against San Francisco dating back to 2021, with one touchdown reception over that span, according to 933 KJR. The latest injury update confirmed his return to the field but provided no further medical assessment.