Seahawks QB Drew Lock to miss 2nd preseason game with COVID

On Tuesday afternoon, the Seahawks announced that Drew Lock would get the start in their second preseason game on Thursday night. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before that was no longer the case.

Lock has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss that Thursday game against the Chicago Bears, and it probably won’t help his cause in the battle with Geno Smith for Seattle’s starting QB job.

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The 25-year-old Lock came to the Seahawks as part of the trade that sent previous starting QB Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. Smith, 31, has more experience both in general and in Seattle’s system, and even though Lock was named the starter for Thursday, Smith is still viewed as ahead in the competition.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said after practice Tuesday that the plan all along was for Smith to start last Saturday’s preseason opener in Pittsburgh and for Lock to start against the Bears. Lock was also reported to be practicing with the first-string offense Tuesday before his positive test.

“Geno is still the No. 1 guy. He’s holding on to spot at this point,” Carroll said. “I really like what Drew has shown us.”

Lock had a strong showing in the game Saturday against the Steelers, albeit against less stiff of a Pittsburgh defense playing in the second half than Smith saw in the first two quarters of the game. Lock also had a costly lost fumble on a sack on the first play of a drive inside the final minute with the game tied, which allowed the Steelers to score a game-winning touchdown.

Thursday’s preseason game between the Seahawks and Bears is set for 5 p.m. at Seattle’s Lumen Field. Coverage of the game will be carried on Seattle Sports Station 710 AM and KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM, the flagships of the Seahawks Radio Network, beginning at 3 p.m. with the pregame show.

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