Snapshots: Jaxon Smith-Njigba shines in bigger role against Rams – Field Gulls

The Seattle Seahawks took the field against the Los Angeles Rams without their top receiving threat, DK Metcalf, giving the other receivers a chance to shine in an expanded role.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the second of two first-round picks added in the 2023 NFL Draft, took advantage of the opportunity with the most productive game of his career. He hauled in seven passes for 170 yards and a pair of touchdowns, almost single-handedly keeping the Seahawks in the game against the rival Rams while completing 89 percent of the offensive snaps, the second-highest percentage of his career.

On the other hand, fellow second-year Jake Bobo hasn’t fared as well in an expanded role. Playing 42 offensive snaps, the second-highest of his career, Bobo recorded just one target and zero receptions. That performance puts his two-game total in Metcalf’s absence at one catch on three targets for 15 yards while playing 82 snaps.

Defensively, Josh Jobe again saw heavy work as the extra defensive back in nickel packages while Tre Brown was moved to special teams. Jobe has no more promotions available this season, meaning if the Seahawks intend to continue using him in the same role, they will have to promote him from the practice squad to the active roster before the Week 11 game against the San Francisco 49ers .

Meanwhile, the Brady Russell show continued on special teams as he led all Seahawks with 28 special teams snaps. Right behind him were Bobo and Drake Thomas with 25 each, just ahead of Mike Morris.

And now it has a bye in Week 10 before traveling to Southern California in Week 11 to close out the season series against the San Francisco 49ers.