Lewis of Seahawks left; X-rays on single clear

SEATTLE — Seahawks starting left guard Damien Lewis left Lumen Field on the back of an injury cart after sustaining a lateral ankle sprain in Thursday night’s 27-11 loss to the Chicago Bears.

Head coach Pete Carroll said the X-rays were negative, adding, “We’re very, very lucky there.”

“He was optimistic about that,” said Carroll. “Perhaps surprised by the results, but we are also excited about it.”

Carroll said he doesn’t yet know if Lewis will be available for the September 12 opener in Seattle against the Denver Broncos.

Lewis went down in the second quarter when defensive lineman Angelo Blackson accidentally coiled him from behind while tackling DeeJay Dallas. Lewis’ right leg was placed in an air throw when he was driven off the field and he was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Lewis, a third round out of LSU in 2020, was a returning starter on an offensive line that added Charles Cross in the draft with the ninth overall pick and center Austin Blythe in free agency. Seattle also fielded Abe Lucas in the third round to compete on right tackle. Lewis had gotten a strong review from Carroll earlier this summer. He was preparing for his third season as a starter and his second as a left guard after playing right guard as a rookie.

Phil Haynes replaced Lewis Thursday night. Carroll said earlier in training camp that Haynes had a summer strong enough to “push” veteran Gabe Jackson to the right, and that Haynes gave them what Carroll considered to be three starting caliber guards.

Carroll said quarterback Geno Smith, who was ahead of Drew Lock in the battle to replace Russell Wilson, suffered a bruise on the right knee during a first-quarter scramble and could have played in the third quarter if necessary. Smith watched much of the second half with an ice wrap on his knee.

With Lock sidelined with COVID-19 for what would have been his first start of the summer, Smith played the entire first half, finishing 10-for-18 for 112 yards.

Smith’s six full drives, not counting a final possession in the closing seconds of the half, ended with five punts and a missed 47-yard field goal. Three of Smith’s omissions were drops, a problem for the second week in a row.

“He did well,” said Carroll. “We had to get through. We needed him a little help. We had to make the plays around him, but we missed the block on the screen and we missed the third-down conversion, and there’s another one. He runs the show well. He does well. He came out of the pocket when he needed to and threw some really good balls that could have been converted. We have to come through for him. Our receivers have to make the plays for him.”

Seattle had planned to kick off Lock Thursday night, but he tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday after feeling unwell during training. Carroll said Lock was still “very sick” on Thursday morning and that no decision had been made on a starter for the Seattle preseason finale next Friday in Dallas.

“It’s disappointing that he didn’t get a chance to play tonight,” said Carroll. “We had a different plan for tonight and we haven’t been able to execute it. Couldn’t help it. That’s why I’m still curious how he plays with us. Yes, I am. He’s done enough good things. He has some real stuff for him and some really exciting skills and game-making stuff that you’ll see when he finally gets his chance. I was just disappointed we didn’t get to see more of it tonight.”