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Jaxon Smith-Njigba's 'Not Quite The Jordan Flu Game' Helps Spark Big Day For Seahawks Offense

Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba bounced back from a brief illness to have a big performance in Seattle’s Week 3 win.

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba didn't need much time to show he was feeling better after battling illness over the weekend.

On the Seahawks offense's second play of the game, quarterback Sam Darnold escaped pressure and rolled left, at which point Smith-Njigba was able to go into scramble mode, shake his defender and get free for a 29-yard gain.

Four plays later, Darnold found Smith-Njigba again, this time for a 12-yard touchdown, the first score of many for the Seahawks in an eventual 44-13 win over the Saints.

Smith-Njigba went on to add a 45-yard catch, his third catch of 40 or more yards in as many games, and finished with 96 yards on five catches despite sitting out the fourth quarter along with several other starters.

It was an impressive performance for a player who was sick enough a day earlier for the Seahawks to add him to the injury report as questionable to play in the game.

"He came back from the dead, it was pretty cool," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald quipped. "Not quite the Jordan flu game, but it was pretty solid."

After the game, Smith-Njigba said, "Yeah, I'm feeling better. Especially after the win. It was a tough Friday and Saturday for me, but I woke up feeling good today."

Smith Njigba, who had over 100 yards in Seattle's first two games, came up just short of a third straight 100-yard game, a feat achieved by only one pass catcher in Seahawks history, DK Metcalf last season. Through three games, the 2024 Pro-Bowler is up to 323 yards on 22 catches, and most importantly, he has been a big contributor to two straight wins. Pending Monday Night Football, Smith-Njigba currently ranks second in the league in receiving yards (323), fifth in receptions (22) and first in receptions of 40 or more yards (3).

"For me, it feels great to win, and it feels great to be available to do my job," he said. "When Sam looks at me and throws my way, I catch the ball. I just love doing my job."

Check out the best photos from the Seahawks' Week 3 conference matchup vs. the Saints at Lumen Field.

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