Article Author:
Reuters
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Rock said on Tuesday, shortly after coach Pete Carroll told reporters that Rock would start the team's next preseason game against the Chicago Bears. -19 tested positive.
Instead, The Rock will miss Thursday's game, with Gino Smith leading Seattle as the team's quarterback competition heads into the home stretch.
Rock not only practiced Tuesday afternoon at his camp with the Seahawks in Renton, Wash., but mostly practiced on his offense in the first string. These reps were part of Rock's preparations to face the Bears.
"We've been planning for this game, game two, long before the offseason started," Carroll said after practice Tuesday. "Jeno will be the starter in the (mock) and opening (preseason) games at Lumens, and will go with Drew in the second game. We try to follow suit when possible." 25} They cannot fully carry out the plan now. The NFL suspended his COVID-19 protocol in March, but follows CDC guidelines requiring a five-day quarantine after testing positive.
The Seahawks received The Rock as part of a larger package in a trade that sent Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos this offseason. Seattle did not draft a quarterback, putting last year's No. 2 Jeno Smith and The Rock as prime contenders for the starting job.
A second-round pick in Denver's 2019 draft, Rock completed 59.3% of his passes for 4,740 yards and 25 touchdowns in 24 games. , recorded 20 interceptions (21 starts).
Carroll said this week that he still sees Smith as the number one quarterback even as the season begins, despite his original plan to give him the Rock's top-team looks. }
"Jeno is still the number one guy. He's holding his place at this point," said Carroll, who also battled COVID-19 early in camp. I really like what Drew has shown and if you look at his passer rating and some of the things he did [in the preseason opener] he did a great job we both can play That's what we know, and they can both play." The Rocks passed for 102 yards out of 15 in a 32-25 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. He completed 11 innings and scored two touchdowns.
– Field Level Media