Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was forced to leave Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers due to a knee injury.

The injury occurred in the third quarter when Green Bay had a 20-3 lead. Smith jumped and threw the ball under pressure. Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper hit Smith in the lower leg while Smith was still in the air. Smith landed awkwardly and lay on the ground in pain after the hit.

He managed to limp to the sideline, but banged his helmet in frustration when he got there.

Backup quarterback Sam Howell replaced Smith on third down on the Seahawks’ next play, which did not result in a first down. Howell remained Seattle’s quarterback on the Seahawks’ next possession.

Smith, meanwhile, limped to the tunnel and was listed as doubtful to return due to a knee injury. The nature of his injury was not immediately clear.

If the injury is serious, it could change the NFC playoff race. The Seahawks entered Sunday’s game 8-5 and had a half-game lead over the 8-6 Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFC West.

If the Seahawks fall out of the lead of the NFC West, they could end up missing the playoffs altogether. The 9-5 Washington Commanders were on their way to the No. 7 seed and the final wild-card spot in the NFC after their win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.