With DK Metcalf now plying his trade in Pittsburgh, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as the unquestioned WR1 with the Seattle Seahawks.
The third-year receiver made his first Pro Bowl last season, catching 100 passes for 1,130 yards, and he’s up to 323 yards through the first three contests of the 2025 season.
Despite those impressive credentials, he hasn’t been a priority of the Seahawks’ game plan against the division rival Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football. He wasn’t targeted at all in the first half, receiving just one carry on the first drive that went for two yards.
What’s going on with the star wideout?
Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba Hurt?
Smith-Njigba didn’t appear on the Seahawks’ injury report this week, though he was questionable for the team’s Week 3 game due to an illness.
Thus, NFL fans were left wondering if the WR1 was still feeling the effects after receiving just one touch in the first half.
Anyone see JSN?
He’s pulling a Zay Flowers from MNF.
— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) September 26, 2025
The good news for Seattle is that Smith-Njigba’s disappearing act hasn’t affected the offense. The team is up 14-3 on the Cardinals at halftime, with quarterback Sam Darnold completing eight of his 11 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. The team’s leading receiver through two quarters was Elijah Arroyo, who snagged two passes for 44 yards.
For what it’s worth, JSN did receive another carry on the Seahawks’ opening drive of the second half, which went for 10 yards.
The third-year receiver’s struggles against the Cardinals are a bit surprising considering how much he’s dominated Arizona throughout his career. Prior to the TNF clash, Smith-Njigba recorded 18 receptions for 236 yards and three touchdowns in four career games against the Cardinals.
It’s clearly been a concerted effort from head coach Jonathon Gannon’s defense to slow down the Seahawks’ WR1. All-Pro safety Budda Baker has frequently been around JSN and Cooper Kupp, Seattle’s second-best wideout, who caught just one pass for 11 yards in the first half.
While the performance has been disappointing from a fantasy perspective, it shouldn’t have too much influence on the rest of Smith-Njigba’s season. He recorded at least five receptions and 96 receiving yards in each of his first three games of the campaign, a far better indication of his talent and importance to offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s scheme.
Even with the Seahawks looking likely to emerge victorious in a defensive battle with the Cardinals, fans can rest assured that Sam Darnold will make it a point to get his best receiver more involved in future contests.
