Seattle Seahawks training camp was shaken this week by the news of injuries to two promising running backs. Head coach Pete Carroll announced that Kenneth Walker III is sidelined with a minor groin strain and rookie Zach Charbonnet is out indefinitely due to a shoulder injury.
Kenneth Walker III, a standout player since his selection in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft, has been prevented from participating in the last three days of training camp. The decision to hold him out is strategic, aimed at preventing the groin strain from worsening. This isn’t the first injury-related issue Walker has faced since joining the Seahawks. Last season, he missed the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos due to hernia surgery, but bounced back to return for Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers.
In spite of these challenges, Walker’s performance during his rookie season was impressive. He played 15 games, rushing for a total of 1,050 yards with nine touchdowns to his name. Not only an asset in the ground game, Walker proved to be a capable receiver, catching 27 passes for 165 yards. Prior to his NFL career, Walker had an outstanding junior season at Michigan State in 2021, where he rushed for 1,636 yards and scored 18 touchdowns in just 12 games.
Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks’ 2023 No. 52 overall draft pick, is another player experiencing injury-related challenges. He has missed the last two days of practice due to an indefinite shoulder injury. This comes as a blow to the team and fans alike who were eager to see Charbonnet’s skills translate to the professional field.
Charbonnet’s potential is undeniable, having shown immense talent and production during his college career. After spending two years at Michigan, Charbonnet transferred to UCLA where he became the Bruins’ go-to running back. During his time there, he recorded an impressive 3,014 yards and 27 touchdowns, with his last season alone witnessing him amass 1,680 total yards and 14 touchdowns in just 10 games.
With Walker as the first-choice running back, and Charbonnet anticipated to be RB2 when healthy, these injuries present opportunities for other players on the Seahawks’ roster to step up. These include DeeJay Dallas, Kenny McIntosh, Wayne Taulapapa, and Bryant Koback.
What the Seahawks need now is depth, and this could be an opportunity for these players to establish themselves. McIntosh, Taulapapa, and Koback have a combined 2 seasons in the NFL and have contributed little in terms of rushing yards and touchdowns, but they might see increased usage given the situation.
DeeJay Dallas, a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, might have the best chance to see his role expanded. Dallas has shown his versatility in the past two seasons, contributing both as a rusher and a receiver and even returning kicks.
While the injuries to Walker and Charbonnet are setbacks, they also open up the potential for other running backs to prove their worth in the NFL. As the saying goes, ‘next man up’, and the Seahawks’ running back room will be put to the test.
In conclusion, injuries are a significant part of the game and it’s how teams adjust to these setbacks that can define their season. Seahawks fans will hope for quick recoveries for both Walker and Charbonnet, but in the meantime, they can look forward to seeing what the other players on the depth chart can bring to the table.
