Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll expressed optimism that quarterback Geno Smith will be able to take the field on Thanksgiving night against the San Francisco 49ers, despite sustaining an elbow injury during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Smith was hurt late in the third quarter when he was hit by Aaron Donald while throwing. He was forced to leave the game briefly but returned for the final drive. Carroll revealed that Smith has a contusion on the tendon near the bottom of his triceps, but there seems to be no further damage. The medical staff is closely monitoring the swelling and providing Smith with necessary treatment.

Although scans are being contemplated for further evaluation, Carroll indicated that the team already has a good understanding of the injury. The coach emphasized that Smith's functionality is encouraging, and the main concern is how sore he will be leading up to the game.

When asked if he believes Smith will be able to play, Carroll responded positively, stating, "I would think so."

In addition to Smith, the Seahawks are also dealing with injuries to running back Ken Walker III and safety Jamal Adams. Walker suffered an oblique injury during the opening drive of Sunday's game, and Carroll confirmed that it was a legitimate strain. However, he did not provide an update on Walker's availability in the upcoming game.

Regarding Adams, who missed the game against the Rams due to ongoing soreness related to a torn quad tendon from last season's opener, Carroll expressed hope that he will be able to return to the field. Adams' presence in the secondary would be a significant boost for the Seahawks defense.

Furthermore, right tackle Abraham Lucas, who returned to practice last week, remains on injured reserve following a knee procedure. Carroll mentioned that Lucas is getting closer to a return and the next few days will be crucial in determining his availability for the Thanksgiving night matchup.

Carroll also took the opportunity to elaborate on the sequence of plays during Seattle's final drive against the Rams. He defended Smith's decision to call a running play to Zach Charbonnet instead of spiking the ball, explaining that Smith had the freedom to make that decision. Although the play did not yield the desired result, Carroll stated that they would have needed to clock it anyway.

Smith revealed postgame that he lost communication in his helmet after a completion to DK Metcalf, prompting him to come up with a playcall on his own. Despite the miscommunication, Carroll stood by the decision to keep pushing the pace instead of spiking the ball, emphasizing that they practice such situations regularly.

The Seahawks will face the 49ers on Thanksgiving night, and their ability to overcome the injury challenges will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game. The status of Smith, Walker, Adams, and Lucas will continue to be monitored closely in the coming days as they prepare for the divisional showdown.