Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has come through for the Seahawks many times over the past couple of seasons, but he wasn’t able to do so late in Sunday’s 32-29 loss to the 49ers.
After the 49ers kicked a go-ahead field goal on the first play after the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter, Smith-Njigba picked up 35 yards on a first-down throw from Sam Darnold to get the Seahawks near midfield. He took a big hit and stayed down an extra beat when Darnold tried to connect with him again on the next play, but it was the third down play that will linger as the Seahawks process their loss.
Smith-Njigba was open on that play and Darnold put a pass on him, but the wideout couldn’t control it and the Seahawks’ chances were dashed when Cooper Kupp was ruled out of bounds short of the sticks on fourth down. After the game, Smith-Njigba reflected on the drop.
“I guess I was thinking too much at that time,” Smith-Njigba said. “Just needed to play free and catch the ball at the end of the day. . . . I had the chance to catch the ball, so really just catch the ball. Catch the damn football at the end of the day. I know I’ll make the next one.”
Smith-Njigba did not expand on whether the first-down hit or an ankle issue that led to a heavy tape job in the first half were among the things on his mind, but it was a rare and poorly timed lapse from the Seahawks’ reliable star. He’ll have to shake it off quickly as the Seahawks will be back on the field in Denver on Thursday night.