Kenny McIntosh, a rookie running back with the Seahawks, has at least had a taste of what it’s like to watch an NFL regular-season game from the sidelines after being added to the 53-man roster but being inactive the previous two weeks.
However, if Kenneth Walker III is unable to play on Thursday against the 49ers, McIntosh might finally get a firsthand taste of that emotion.
Regarding potentially making his NFL debut against the 49ers, McIntosh, a seventh-round selection out of Georgia, said, “It’ll be everything.”
Walker’s availability for Sunday’s 17-16 Los Angeles Rams game against the 49ers is questionable due to a strained oblique injury he sustained on the first series of the game.
Walker was not recorded as participating in Tuesday’s practice. Because of the short turnaround time until Thursday night, the workout was light and the players did not wear pads.
The Seahawks might use McIntosh even if Walker gives it a try in order to have enough depth at running back.
On game day, Walker, rookie Zach Charbonnet, and DeeJay Dallas have usually been the three tailbacks that Seattle starts.
McIntosh sustained a knee injury during Seattle’s simulated game on August 4 and spent the first eight games of the season on injured reserve.
Prior to the Washington game, he was activated to the 53-man roster. His 21-day practice window was about to expire, and he had to either join the team or return to injured reserve.
But McIntosh hasn’t played in the last two weeks since Walker, Charbonnet, and Dallas are all healthy.
Pete Carroll, the coach, stated that McIntosh’s inability to play and be active has only been due to the roster numbers.
Late in the simulated match, McIntosh sustained his injuries. Wheezes typically went off before to complete tackling to the ground even when there was contact during the game. However, McIntosh landed somewhat awkwardly and damaged his left knee as teammate Levi Bell pulled him down.
Although McIntosh played down the injury, Seahawks general manager John Schneider stated two weeks earlier that it was a “pretty significant injury” during his pregame radio broadcast on the team’s primary radio network. To be honest, it could have been far worse.
Following a terrific preseason debut for McIntosh—whom Seattle pounced on with the 237th pick when he was still available—the injury occurred.
McIntosh, who had anticipated leaving much sooner after leading Georgia in rushing in 2022 with 829 yards as the Bulldogs won their second consecutive national championship, had a legendary response to that.
“I believe I completed all the tasks required of me,” McIntosh declared on draft day. I never imagined that I would sink to this level. I am aware that they let me down frequently, but this low? That is absurd. However, that only makes me feel like I have a grudge. Simply get out there and put forth more effort.
He had been doing just that in the first several weeks of training camp, filling in for injured teammates on occasion and looking to fit right in.
Then came his injury.
The squad has been waiting for McIntosh to recover for some time now, just in case he becomes necessary.
Having to wait for his turn after becoming healthy can be “a little draining and discouraging,” he added. “You just need to have faith and a strong mind.”
On Tuesday, McIntosh received praise from offensive coordinator Shane Waldron for how he has managed his time on the sidelines.