Kenneth Walker’s two injuries among multiple issues for the Seahawks heading to Arizona
Now the Seahawks have a Kenneth Walker issue, on top of others for their most pivotal game of the season thus far.
Lead running back Kenneth Walker did not practice Thursday or Friday this week because of two injuries. He is quite questionable to play Sunday when first-place Seattle plays its NFC West showdown at second-place Arizona Sunday (1:05 p.m., channel 7).
“Wish I could tell you. Just don’t know right now,” coach Mike Macdonald said about Walker’s availability to play the Cardinals.
Zach Charbonnet would be the lead back Sunday if Walker can’t play. Charbonnet may also be the new kickoff return man.
The Seahawks waived Laviska Shenault Monday and Dee Williams Thursday. They fumbled three kickoffs combined last weekend and gifted the New York Jets two touchdowns early for their 21-7 lead.
Walker injured his ankle and his calf while rushing 16 times for 49 yards last weekend in the Seahawks’ rally to win at the Jets. He was not in on the goal-line plays when Seattle failed to score on five tries for the 1-yard line in the second half.
Macdonald said that wasn’t because of the injuries, that Walker was not limited by them during the game but felt them after it. He practiced on a limited basis Wednesday then missed the next two days.
“We’ll talk about plans in place on how we want to operate going into the weekend,” Madconald said. “If we’ve got to make any (roster) moves (by Saturday’s deadline to do so for the game) or take it up to game time, we’re just not sure right now.”
Macdonald confirmed one of those possible moves by Saturday afternoon is elevating George Holani from the practice squad. The rookie running back who impressed coaches in training camp and preseason games recently returned to practice off injured reserve.
“He could be a solution on that front,” the coach said.
Holani passed second-year man Kenny McIntosh in training camp as the third running back before he got hurt. Coaches like Holani’s physicality and pass blocking.
Return situation
Charbonnet has been practicing fielding kicks this week. McIntosh has, too.
“I’m ready,” McIntosh said.
The Seahawks claimed off waivers from Cleveland third-year NFL return man Jaelon Darden Thursday. But there was no sign Friday he’d joined the team by the end of practice. The Seahawks leave for Phoenix Saturday afternoon.
The team listed Darden on its practice-participation report as out Friday for “non-injury related” reasons, “personal.”
Macdonald and special-team coach Jay Harbaugh said Darden could and just may be Seattle’s punt returner Sunday. That job has minimal preparation time compared to kickoff returner with added needs to know blocking schemes and formations in returns.
“Plug and play,” is how Harbaugh described Darden and punt returning Thursday.
It’s conceivable Darden could meet the team in Arizona from Cleveland Saturday and make his Seahawks debut as punt returner Sunday.
Those are some of the “things we’re working through” Macdonald mentioned Friday in talking about possibilities in the return game against the Cardinals.
Michael Dickson improving
Punter Michael Dickson is officially questionable to play Sunday. His back spasms that sidelined him for the final 1 1/2 quarters of the Jets game have not fully subsided.
That’s why the Seahawks signed punter Ty Zentner, formerly of the Los Angeles Rams, to Seattle’s practice squad Friday.
Macdonald said that was “a contingency plan.” He and Harbaugh said they expect Dickson to be able to punt, and hold for Jason Myers’ place kicks, as usual against the Cardinals.
Myers has been practicing punts this week.
But Macdonald said Dickson is “getting better every day. Looks positive right now. You just never know, could lock up again.
“But we’re planning on him being ready to go.”
DK Metcalf, Leonard Williams full go
Wide receiver DK Metcalf and defensive end Leonard Williams, the NFC defensive player of the week for wrecking the Jets, are full go and ready to play Sunday. They are not on the injury report for the game.
Metcalf (shoulder) and Williams (foot) missed practice Thursday, as they did last week before they played at New York.
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 2:14 PM.
