Seahawks sign ex-UW QB Jacob Eason off waivers. Geno Smith’s No. 2 as Russell Wilson heals
The Seahawks’ shuffling at quarterback since Russell Wilson got hurt continues.
Seattle claimed former University of Washington Jacob Eason off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts Wednesday.
The 6-foot-6 Eason graduated from Lake Stevens High School then played at the University of Georgia in 2016 and ‘17. He transferred to UW and played for the Huskies in the 2019 season. The Colts drafted him in the fourth round in 2020.
He played in one game for Indianapolis, five passes in the second game of this season against the Los Angeles Rams.
Wilson is on injured reserve following surgery to repair a torn tendon and dislocated middle finger on his passing hand Oct. 8. He will miss at least Seattle’s next two games, Monday night against New Orleans and Oct. 31 against Jacksonville.
Geno Smith made his first start in four years Sunday night at Pittsburgh. It became a 23-20 loss for the Seahawks following Smith’s lost fumble in overtime that gifted the Steelers the winning field goal.
The Seahawks promoted Jake Luton from their practice squad to be the second quarterback behind Smith in Pittsburgh. Luton is from Marysville and played for Marysville-Pilchuck. He and was a high-school rival and youth flag-football teammate of Eason’s. Luton played for Oregon State when Eason was at UW inside the Pac-12.
Eason gets the inside track on Luton to be Smith’s backup while Wilson is out, because Eason is signed onto the active roster. Luton went back onto the practice squad following the Steelers game.
Seattle had an open spot on the 53-man roster since waiving former starting cornerback Tre Flowers last week.
The Seahawks are hoping all this becomes moot, perhaps as soon as the week of their game Nov. 14 at Green Bay. That’s the first game Wilson is eligible to play. Players on injured reserve must stay there for at least three games.
Last weekend Wilson missed the first game of his career after 165 consecutive starts in the regular season and playoffs over 10 seasons. He was on the field two-plus hours before kickoff in Pittsburgh practicing hurry-up offense, by himself, doing everything but throwing.
He will miss at least the games against the Steelers, Saints and Jaguars. Seattle then has its bye Nov. 7.
Carroll was asked Monday how likely it is that Wilson returns to play against the Packers Nov. 14.
“I don’t know that because I’m not the medical side of this thing,” Carroll said, “but I know Russell. If it’s possible, it’s going to happen. If it’s possible, it’ll happen.
“I don’t know if you guys saw him (Sunday) night and the way he was preparing to go after it. He’s not going to miss a trick. I don’t put anything beyond his capabilities. He can do some special stuff.
“We’ll see what happens.”
