Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Kenny McIntosh was seriously injured on the last play of practice Saturday. This year’s NFL Combine mishap has raised fears about the potentiality of a torn ACL. The injury happened during McIntosh’s opening snap on the special teams period, where he dropped to the ground grimacing in pain. Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to report that more testing is expected to be done to determine the severity of the injury.
The Seahawks picked McIntosh in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He was supposed to be the key player in the team. He would largely compete for the No. 3 running back job with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet locked in as a promising duo. As a running back, McIntosh was incredibly productive on traditional rushing plays. He proved himself to be a strong candidate for the team’s kickoff returner. During the 2021 season, he showcased eye-popping speed and twitch. He averaged 25.5 yards on six returns and rushed the ball 31 times for 172 yards.
The possible loss of McIntosh would have important repercussions for the Seahawks’ special teams unit. His unique ability to return kicks, play on special teams and run effective gadget plays with his elite athleticism made him an irreplaceable asset. In addition to Walker III and Charbonnet, other players like George Holani and Jacardia Wright are part of the team’s backfield depth, but they may not replicate McIntosh’s unique skill set.
It’s now those same Seahawks who are holding their breath, hoping to hear what medical personnel have to say about McIntosh’s injury. The team needs to plan for worst-case scenarios if he’s out long-term. McIntosh’s absence would replace as many snaps in the running back rotation and on special teams.
Leave a Reply