The Seahawks walked out of their 20-3 demolition of the previously undefeated Chiefs with more than just a statement win. They also got a measure of relief on Rashid Shaheed.
According to a post on X by Brady Henderson via Mike Garfolo, Mike Macdonald gave a “positive” early read on Shaheed’s knee after the receiver left the game late in the first half and did not return. Henderson wrote, “Good news so far for the #Seahawks on Rashid Shaheed.
‘Mike Macdonald tells @BrockHuard and @TheMikeSalk on @SeattleSports that the ‘early returns are positive' on Rashid Shaheed’s knee and that they’re still waiting on (imaging) results on Charles Cross’ ankle. Both left the game last night and didn’t return,' Henderson wrote.' ”
Shaheed’s injury came on a collision with teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the end zone after a Chiefs interception. He was sidelined the rest of the way, but Seattle’s passing game kept rolling anyway.
Smith-Njigba delivered one of the big performances in the win, piling up 150 receiving yards on nine catches and adding a touchdown. On the score, he reached back for a well-placed throw, hauled it in over his shoulder and stayed just inside the pylon.
Shaheed has been lightly used this season, with 16 catches for 163 yards and no receiving touchdowns. He has also logged four rushing attempts for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Macdonald said the Seahawks are simply doing what makes sense when they feature Smith-Njigba, according to NBC Sports.
“You’d be crazy not to try to make him the primary [target] on as many concepts as you can,” Macdonald said. ““He’s tremendous.
I don’t know how else to describe him. Like, he’s had some adversity this week.
Just going to leave it like that. Just really proud of him as a person.
He’s a person, competitor, teammate. How do you not just have the most respect for the guy and love him for how he operates?
I have pretty good confidence that if we’re throwing him the ball, he’s going to come down with it.”
The result pushed Seattle to 4-3. The Seahawks sit two games behind the 49ers, who fell to 6-1 on Sunday.
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