Tag: seahawks running backs

Summing up Kenneth Walker’s injury issues for Seahawks this season

Summing up Kenneth Walker’s injury issues for Seahawks this season

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III returned to the field in Sunday’s Week 16 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. Walker had missed Weeks 14 and 15 due to ongoing calf and ankle injuries. Unfortunately, he exited on Sunday again. Head coach Mike Macdonald later confirmed that he’ll be undergoing imaging tests on his ankle. He’s truly questionable for the Week 17’s short-week Thursday game versus the Chicago Bears.

Walker was largely ineffective on the ground against the Vikings before reaggravating his ankle injury. The former Michigan State standout was averaging 3.9 yards per carry, rushing for 31 yards via eight carries. Walker was significantly more impactful as a checkdown option in the passing game, accumulating eight receptions for 28 additional yards.

It’s been a difficult season for Walker. His injury issues began in Week 1. Walker suffered an abdomen injury in Seattle’s debut 2024 contest, causing him to miss the fourth quarter.

There’s a decent chance Zach Charbonnet will be carrying the workload for the Seahawks against the Bears. Charbonnet was barely involved versus the Vikings, rushing for negative one yard via one carry. He added 14 receiving yards as a pass catcher.

The Seahawks are fighting for their postseason lives. It would be outstanding if Walker was available versus the Bears and Los Angeles Rams in Week 18. Unfortunately, RB1 may be sidelined for a third occasion.

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Zach Charbonnet joins Seahawks’ injury report, creates new problem in backfield

Zach Charbonnet joins Seahawks’ injury report, creates new problem in backfield

Seattle Seahawks starting running back Kenneth Walker III has missed two consecutive games with an ongoing calf injury. Backup Zach Charbonnet has done an admirable job filling in for Mike Macdonald’s bellcow. A new problem arose on Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s Week 16 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings. Charbonnet has joined the injury report with an issue in his oblique.

Charbonnet was outstanding against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14. The former UCLA Bruin rushed for an astounding 134 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an explosive 6.1 yards per carry. Charbonnet added 59 receiving yards through seven catches to his offensive totals. Against the Packers, he totaled 66 yards of offense and scored a touchdown via just nine touches, averaging 7.3 yards per touch.

Walker III appears slated to miss his third consecutive contest. He’s certainly trending in the wrong direction. It’ll be worth monitoring Charbonnet’s status at Thursday’s and Friday’s practice sessions. If both Walker III and Charbonnet are sidelined, the Seahawks could be dealing with a real issue against the Vikings.

Sophomore seventh-rounder Kenny McIntosh and rookie ball carrier George Holani are the other running backs on the Seahawks’ 53-man roster. McIntosh has earned 14 carries for 63 yards and 4.5 yards per carry this season. The ex Georgia standout has accumulated just 37 offensive snaps. Holani has played five snaps, logging three carries for 10 yards.

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Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III is elite at making defenders miss

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III is elite at making defenders miss

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III did not play in Sunday’s 30-18 Week 14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals due to a calf injury. Zach Charbonnet filled in more than admirably, rushing for 134 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Mike Macdonald called Walker “day to day” at Wednesday’s practice, for which he remained sidelined. When Seattle’s top-choice ball carrier has been on the field this season, he’s been elite at making defenders miss.

Walker leads the Seahawks in rushing yards with 542 despite missing three games this season. Pro Football Focus does an outstanding job tracking advanced running back data. Walker ranks second in the entire league in missed tackles forced (MTF) after a rush with 58, tied with Green Bay Packers back Josh Jacobs.

Najee Harris leads the league in missed tackles according to PFF with 59. Walker has carried the football on 145 occasions this campaign compared to 223 for Harris. It’s safe to assume a fully healthy Walker would be topping the league in that category.

Both of Seattle’s running backs have done an outstanding job navigating the difficulties provided by an underperforming offensive line. Charbonnet ranks fifth in yards after contact per attempt (YCO/A) at 3.61. As a tandem, they’ve been highly effective in making defenders miss either at the line of scrimmage, or after contact.

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Seahawks ongoing run-game struggles take center stage vs. Bills

Seahawks ongoing run-game struggles take center stage vs. Bills

The Seattle Seahawks continue to struggle to establish an efficient rushing attack. Those ongoing difficulties took center stage against the Buffalo Bills in Week 8, a lopsided 31-10 defeat. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb must make an effort to rely on Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet earlier in games.

Walker was completely ineffective, rushing for 12 yards via nine carries. Charbonnet rushed for four yards and a touchdown on three carries. Starting quarterback Geno Smith was Seattle’s leading rusher, galloping for 16 yards via five scrambles.

The Seahawks rushed for 32 net offensive yards. Mike Macdonald’s squad was woefully out-gained on the ground by the Bills 164-32. Time of possession heavily favored Buffalo, 38:03 to 21:57.

Grubb continues to feature a pass-heavy attack. As pointed out by The News Tribune’s Gregg Bell, the Seahawks called seven passes on their first nine offensive plays from scrimmage. The Seahawks gained 16 rushing yards via 12 carries by Walker and Charbonnet. Buffalo only led 7-3 with 20 seconds remaining in the first half, giving Seattle no tangible reason to go into a pass-happy shell.

The Seahawks are now the league’s 29th-ranked rushing attack, producing 89.3 ground yards per outing. Grubb must work on his willingness to establish the run early. Seattle will continue being an inconsistent offense until they run the football more effectively and efficiently.

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Did Seahawks preseason Week 2 indicate who’s winning RB3 battle?

Did Seahawks preseason Week 2 indicate who’s winning RB3 battle?

One of the biggest remaining positional battles on the Seattle Seahawks’ roster is the perceived one at No. 3 running back. While the Seahawks are still searching for their starting right guard between Christian Haynes and Anthony Bradford, the ongoing competition between Kenny McIntosh and George Holani is also capturing intrigue.

Seattle’s Week 2 preseason defeat to the Tennessee Titans could have hinted at how head coach Mike Macdonald and his staff currently see things. McIntosh received the bulk of the workload against the Titans, easily leading all backs in the snap count with 23 plays, accounting for more than 52% of Seattle’s offensive plays. McIntosh did a fantastic job maximizing those opportunities.

McIntosh rushed for 46 yards via eight carries, averaging an explosive 5.8 yards per carry. His longest run of the day picked up 12, and the former Georgia standout also recorded two receptions for 17 additional yards. McIntosh flashed dual-threat ability, paired with a decisive running style.

Meanwhile Holani earned just nine offensive snaps. The undrafted free agent from Boise State rushed twice for three yards. There are multiple ways to interpret Holani’s lack of usage in Nashville. He’s been impressive all offseason long, making it likely Seattle’s decision-making brass has seen enough from him on offense and special teams to make their determination.

Perhaps the aforementioned “RB3” battle is no battle at all. Sophomore running back Zach Charbonnet has been nursing a lower body injury. Though he recently returned to practice in pads, the Seahawks may ease him back in. Retaining both McIntosh and Holani remains a distinct possibility.

Macdonald’s usage of both McIntosh and Holani versus the Titans indicate they’re in good graces. McIntosh put forth a convincing performance that proved he still belongs. Holani has shown enough to warrant a roster spot.

Seattle should keep both McIntosh and Holani when trimming down their roster to 53 next week.

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Seahawks fall 16-15 to Titans in preseason Week 2

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RB3 battle to take center stage for Seahawks in Week 2 preseason game

RB3 battle to take center stage for Seahawks in Week 2 preseason game

The Seattle Seahawks concluded joint practices with the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday and Thursday. Due to the physical nature of those padded sessions, head coach Mike Macdonald has confirmed that very few (or even none) starters will play in the preseason game on Saturday. Starting running back Kenneth Walker III is one of the studs expected to sit.

Backup ball carrier Zach Charbonnet missed both practices with the Titans with a minor injury and will almost certainly miss Saturday’s exhibition contest. That should place increased emphasis on the ongoing position battle between Kenny McIntosh and George Holani to be the team’s No. 3 back.

McIntosh, a sophomore seventh-round pick, entered camp as the slight favorite. Seahawks general manager John Schneider liked Holani, who he notably offered $115,000 in guaranteed salary during undrafted free agency. McIntosh and Holani have been entrenched in a battle ever since.

McIntosh rushed for a team-high 40 yards in the preseason Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. McIntosh averaged five yards per carry via eight opportunities. Holani was impressive in his own right, rushing for 24 yards and a touchdown on six carries. Holani’s score was an impressive 11 yard scamper.

Mike Macdonald and his coaching staff have consistently shuffled the order. In Wednesday’s practice, Holani consistently worked with the first-team offense alongside Walker at running back, according to Bob Condotta. That theme generally continued at Thursday’s session, with one notable change. When the offense conducted it’s final two-minute drill, McIntosh entered at running back, per Condotta.

The Seahawks are encouraged by their running back depth. Competition has helped develop both McIntosh and Holani. The battle could be settled this weekend. McIntosh and Holani are unlikely to receive better opportunities than Saturday’s preseason contest will represent to convince the coaching staff they deserve the 53-man roster spot.

More Seahawks Wire stories

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Position battles to monitor in Seahawks-Titans joint practices

Byron Murphy reportedly dominating the Titans

Riq Woolen continues to make plays 

PFF ranks Seahawks running back unit No. 13 in the league

Heading into the 2022 season they may be stronger than ever at this position.

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The Seahawks have maintained a strong running game throughout Pete Carroll’s tenure, despite rotating through several different No. 1 backs through the years. From Marshawn Lynch to Rashaad Penny, this has been a priority and most of the time they’ve kept a quality rushing attack together.

Heading into the 2022 season they may be stronger than ever at this position. Pro Football Focus is going through rankings for every position around the NFL, including running back units. Seattle’s trio of Chris Carson, Ken Walker and Rashaad Penny somehow only landed at No. 13 on their list.

“Chris Carson’s status remains a major question mark as he works his way back from a neck injury. However, the Seahawks bolstered the group with Kenneth Walker III in the 2022 NFL Draft. Walker’s 89 missed tackles forced on the ground were more than any other FBS running back last season, as were his 1,168 rushing yards after contact. Even if Carson doesn’t return, Walker and the returning Rashaad Penny — who led the league in PFF rushing grade over the last five weeks of last season — form a nice tandem at the position.”

Much depends on whether Carson can actually play again or not. If he does, then the Seahawks officially have the deepest and best running back room in the entire league – including Cleveland’s.

However, it seems unlikely that’ll happen. Pete Carroll’s comments yesterday that slipped into the past tense about what Carson has brought to the table may have been an indication the team isn’t expecting him to take another snap. That’s probably for the best considering what another neck injury could mean for his long-term health.

Even without Carson, this should be one of the game’s strongest RB rooms. Penny finished the 2021 season as the most productive rusher in the league and Ken Walker may have been the best back in the 2022 draft class. From where we’re sitting No. 13 is far too low, Carson or not.

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Seahawks: Ranking the 4 deepest positions on their roster going into 2022

From our perspective, here are the four most competitive positions on the roster heading into the summer.

The Seattle Seahawks threw a curveball in the 2022 NFL draft by playing it straight for a change. While their decision to pass on the quarterback class will and should be scrutinized for the next few years, overall the team did an excellent job of selecting above-average athletes at the positions that matter most for the modern game. With any class of rookies the results always vary, but that represents a much healthier process and approach to the draft than what we’ve seen since 2013.

From our perspective, here are the four most competitive positions on the roster heading into the summer.

Adrian Peterson talks about getting call from his agent about Seahawks’ interest

Watch Peterson talk about getting the call from his agent about the Seahawks’ interest.

This season is getting weird. Heading into Week 13, the Seahawks stand at 3-8, a record that puts them at a firm last place in the NFC West and has almost mathematically eliminated them from the playoff picture already.

Head coach Pete Carroll’s solution is very-much on brand. Yesterday, the team signed 36-year old free agent running back Adrian Peterson to their practice squad. Watch the four-time All Pro talk about getting the call from his agent about Seattle’s interest.

Nothing against Peterson – who’s a future Hall of Famer with absolutely nothing to prove as far as football goes – but this whole thing is embarrassing.

It’s true that Seattle desperately needs help at running back with Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, Travis Homer and Alex Collins all currently injured. That said, it’s impossible that Peterson was the best free agent still on the market – to say nothing of in-house guys like DeeJay Dallas and Josh Johnson – who have been passed over on the depth chart based on a name.

Peterson may still have a little bit of juice left, but he only got a call from the Titans because of Derrick Henry’s season-wrecking injury. He only averaged three yards per carry for Tennessee and couldn’t keep his spot in a backfield now led by D’Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard.

Regardless of what Peterson has or doesn’t have left in his tank, these Seahawks are not going to start winning games again until Russell Wilson gets back to a true 100% from his finger injury.

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Seahawks: 4 offensive positions to prioritize in the 2022 NFL draft

Let’s begin with the offense, which looks completely broken.

With the Seahawks’ chances of making the playoffs at 1%, it’s time to start thinking about next year. There are some existential questions for the franchise to address this offseason. Should they keep Russell Wilson or try to trade him while they can still get a first-rounder? Do Pete Carroll and John Schneider deserve another year at the helm after this 2021 disaster? Let’s punt on those cataclysmic scenarios for now.

What we do know about this team is that it has several glaring holes on the roster that need to be addressed. Let’s begin with the offense, which is completely broken.