Seahawks HC Pete Carroll gave up an update on RB Kenneth Walker's recovery from hernia surgery on Sunday and didn't sound as optimistic as he did last week. “He’s still pretty tender,” Carroll said. “I was with him today. He’s got some things to heal, to go in and do what they did. So, it’s just a matter of time, but we don’t have a designated sequence yet. We’ll have to see how he responds.” It sounds like Walker isn't a lock to be ready for Week 1, as had been reported originally. Look for Rashaad Penny to operate as Seattle's lead back for at least the first few weeks of the season.
"The plan is for [Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker] to be out there Week 1 if all goes well," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "Walker underwent surgery to repair a hernia — not what is sometimes called a 'sports hernia' or core muscle injury — and he’s expected to make a full recovery," Rapoport adds. We'll track Walker's rehab. But, considering the rookie will miss the rest of the preseason and a bunch of practice time, he won't be a viable Week 1 fantasy option. RB Rashaad Penny's early-season fantasy stock gets a boost with the news.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said Wednesday that rookie RB Kenneth Walker is having a "procedure" but that his injury is not a sports hernia, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. We'll watch for word on how long the team expects him to be out.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said Tuesday that RB Kenneth Walker has "a little hernia thing that he’s working on." Added Carroll, "we’ve got to get through that. So I don’t know what to tell you yet, but it’s something that we can attend to and all that ... We’ve just got to make sure that he’s OK by the opener is what we’re shooting for.” Hopefully Walker doesn't need surgery, which would certainly cost him the start of the season. We'll look for updates on the rookie's status.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll complimented rookie RB Kenneth Walker. Carroll really focused on Walker’s improvement in pass protection. "He could play all three downs, and we'd feel comfortable with it,” Carroll shared. Rashaad Penny is currently batting a minor goin injury, but the veteran remains on track to start Week 1. How long that lasts, however, is certainly in question. Neither guy projects for big pass volume -- but the 3rd-down/receiving down role appears up for grabs here.
John Boyle of The Seahawks’ official site writes that RB Kenneth Walker has “shown off his pass-catching ability” in training camp. It’s noteworthy, as the rookie exited college with only 19 career catches in 3 seasons. Rashaad Penny is currently seeing the bulk of Seattle’s 1st-team reps, but this backfield has the potential to be fluid all season.
SI.com's Corbin K. Smith reports that Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny "showed up for camp in peak condition." The RB reportedly credits running sprints in the sand for "his improved conditioning and health," particularly in his surgically repaired knee and hamstrings. We'll see what comes of further camp reports on Penny and then any preseason action. But signs have pointed to the late-2021 stud getting 1st shot to lead this year's backfield in touches -- ahead of 2nd-round rookie Kenneth Walker.
We know that RBs Ken Walker and Rashaad Penny will duke it out for early-down work in the Seahawks' backfield this season. But The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar believes passing downs will go to either DeeJay Dallas or Travis Homer. "Dallas is arguably the best pass-catching running back on the roster and Homer, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, is the best pass protector among the tailbacks," Dugar writes. It makes some sense considering neither Walker nor Penny is an accomplished pass-catcher. A 3-man committee backfield in a bad offense behind a bad offensive line sounds like a nightmare fantasy scenario.
Seahawks RB Chris Carson is retiring from the NFL, per insider Ian Rapoport. According to Rapoport, Seattle will officially release him with a failed physical designation. It’s not a surprise, as Carson’s been sidelined with a neck injury since Week 4 of last season. His career ends with 769 carries for 3,502 yards and 24 TDs. Seattle moves forward with a 1-2 punch of Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker.
The Seattle Times' Bob Condotta believes Rashaad Penny will be the Seahawks' "starter and the primary back." Condotta goes on to throw out a (ridiculous) 20-carry-per-game projection for Penny, adding that RB Kenneth Walker will get "most of the rest" of the carries. It's much more opinion than report, so we're not adjusting our projections for Seattle's backfield just yet. But it'll be a situation worth watching closely in training camp and preseason action.
Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker is sidelined with a hamstring injury, HC Pete Carroll said. It's unclear when the rookie will get back on the field. No reason to panic at this point, but we'll keep a close eye on Walker when training camp opens next month.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll plans on deploying a committee backfield this season. "We like playing multiple guys, and we don’t have any problem with that at all," Carroll said. "I’ve said it to you a million times. I’m fine going with who is hot. But also, we have to find a way to keep our guys healthy. That’s why the rotation is so important, so we don’t overwork them, particularly early in the year, so we can keep the good momentum building." Seattle spent the 41st overall pick of this year's draft on RB Kenneth Walker. But, prior to that, they gave RB Rashaad Penny a 1-year, $5.75 million contract with a little more than $5 million guaranteed. Penny, of course, closed 2021 with 671 rushing yards over the final 5 games. Seattle also still has RBs Chris Carson, DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer on the roster. We'll see how the backfield shakes out this summer.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll evaluated rookie RB Kenneth Walker following day 1 of rookie minicamp. “Ken, he took off now,” Carroll said. “He’s a rocket. He caught the ball really well today, too, which we’re really excited about.” Carroll went on to note that Walker already knows some of Seattle’s terminology, having come from a pro-style system at Michigan State. Carroll did confirm that Walker’s passing down usage is very much up in the air. “Let’s wait and see on that one, as far as making him a third-down guy,” Carroll said. “He’s got a ways to go, pass protection-wise. That’s a real challenge for him. So we’ll see. I know his attitude will be in it. He’s a terrific, competitive kid. That (pass protection) needs to be a priority, and we’ve already talked to him about that.” Walker’s reception upside will remain a storyline throughout the offseason.
The Seahawks selected RB Kenneth Walker in Round 2 of the NFL Draft. Compactly built at 5’9, 211 pounds, Walker displayed exceptional power and burst across a 3-year college career. He transferred from Wake Forest to Michigan State after the 2020 season, citing a poor offensive fit. The move set the stage for a massive breakout last fall (263-1,636-18). He caught only 19 balls across 3 seasons, though. Receiving upside is the only potential negative attached to Walker’s skill set. The 21-year-old landed with an offense that’s run-focused, especially with Drew Lock in line to start. In the backfield, Chris Carson isn’t guaranteed to stick around following neck surgery. Rashaad Penny was re-signed to just a 1-year deal in March and brings durability questions of his own. Walker could quickly turn into an early-down workhorse, but it’s tough to get excited about his short-term TD outlook in Seattle.
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