Will injuries push Kenny McIntosh into key role?

Ken Walker, Zach Charbonnet limited in Seahawks practice 12/7/2023: Seaside Joe 1740

Seahawks rookie Kenny McIntosh made his NFL debut two weeks ago against the 49ers, but the seventh round running back out of Georgia has yet to play any snap on offense. That could change in San Francisco on Sunday, as both Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet are now more injured this week than McIntosh, who missed the first half of the season with a knee injury but is now fully healthy. It probably should change, and even Pete Carroll acknowledged that this week.

As I wrote on Tuesday, the Seahawks have no reason not to play Derick Hall more now that we know Frank Clark isn’t contributing much of anything, and Carroll agreed with that assessment too. So both Hall and McIntosh could have larger roles against the 49ers this week, with McIntosh all but set to get his first career touches if either Walker or Charbonnet are forced to miss the game.

Walker and Charbonnet were both limited in practice on Thursday, which is a bit of an upgrade for Walker as he’s missed the last two games. Showing up on the injury report for the first time on Thursday, Geno Smith apparently has a groin issue and that will have to be monitored on the Friday practice report and game designations.

McIntosh did not become Georgia’s lead back until his senior season, rushing for 829 yards on 150 carries and scoring 10 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry in 2022. He also caught 43 passes for 505 yards. Not expected to have game-changing athleticism for the NFL level, McIntosh was one of the bigger standouts in the offseason program and training camp until injuring his knee.

He has played eight snaps on special teams in the last two games.

In addition to McIntosh and Hall, another name to watch for a potential upgrade in assignment could be Dareke Young. The second-year player was active for one game this season, getting a couple of offensive snaps and 17 special teams snaps against the Moons. A lot of us were wondering if Young might even have a dual threat role in his skillset, being able to handle some receiving and rushing/blocking duties given his frame and athleticism. Dee Eskridge went from a full participant to a DNP on Thursday, and Jake Bobo is banged up a little bit, so could Young have a say in Sunday’s outcome against the 49ers?

Other notable injuries this week include Jordyn Brooks and Tre Brown both missing practice on Thursday, while Jamal Adams, Anthony Bradford, Abe Lucas, and Leonard Williams were limited, in addition to Charbonnet, Walker, and Smith.

No Seahawks fan doesn’t want to have Charbonnet and Walker available, but I’d also say that most Seahawks fans are curious to see what Seattle has in McIntosh. This week may be our chance to find out for the first time.