Geno Smith’s chances of playing in the Seattle Seahawks’ big Thanksgiving game against the San Francisco 49ers looked bleak when he departed their loss to the Los Angeles Rams with an arm injury.

Despite the short week, Smith appears ready to play in the primetime game despite a big bruise to his tricep area, which will likely determine if the Seahawks can grab the NFC West crown from the 49ers.

Head coach Pete Carroll indicated to reporters on Wednesday that Smith is likely to play against San Francisco.

“I’m inclined to believe he is. “Yes,” Carroll said when asked if Smith will play.

“His attitude toward what this was; he wasn’t going to be bothered by it.” It wasn’t going to matter much. He has a large bruise on the back of his triceps, but his attitude has been excellent the entire time. He hasn’t missed a snap since we didn’t allow him to throw the first few days, but he hasn’t missed a snap. He was in charge of everything. He’s all set to leave.”

Smith playing while injured against a San Francisco defense that piled up 38 pressures in the 49ers’ win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week is a calculated gamble worth taking given the stakes.

If the Seahawks lose, as most assume, they will fall two games behind the 49ers in the division, with another game on the road against San Francisco coming up between matchups with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.

It would be a hard task to dethrone the 49ers, and while Smith has not yet hit the heights of his 2022 season, the odds of defeat would definitely increase with Drew Lock at the helm.

After entering the Rams game, Lock went two of six for three yards and an interception.

Though Smith will almost surely play, running back Kenneth Walker III is expected to miss the game due to an oblique injury. Right tackle Abe Lucas (knee) was listed as questionable but is also expected to miss, while safety Jamal Adams (knee) and versatile defensive back Coby Bryant (toe) are both cleared to play.