Seahawks Injuries Provide 'Highlight' Kenny McIntosh Big Opportunity
As the Seattle Seahawks are a full day into the second week of training camp, they've already been dealt a tough hand in the injury department. Two of their top running backs, Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, have been sidelined with injuries.
Walker, the now second-year back, is day-to-day with a groin issue, while Charbonnet, the newest second-round pick, is dealing with a shoulder injury. While the situation certainly isn't ideal for both, as the value of running backs is a hot topic of conversation around the league, it has provided other backs on the roster, like this year's seventh-round pick Kenny McIntosh, time to shine.
“Kenny has been probably one of the highlights," coach Pete Carroll said of the former Georgia Bulldog on Sunday. "When everyone was here, he was one of the highlighted players. He lost about 10 pounds from when he was here in the springtime. He’s in great shape, and he’s just razor sharp, and he’s been explosive, innovative with his runs and his cuts, caught the ball well."
After a few seasons of waiting behind now fellow NFL running backs at Georgia like Zamir White (Las Vegas Raiders) and James Cook (Buffalo Bills), McIntosh shined in his final season in Athens.
The former Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native finished last season with 829 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, which was second-best on the team. Yet, arguably McIntosh's most valuable trait is his ability as a pass-catcher. McIntosh finished as the third-leading receiver for Georgia last season with 504 yards and two touchdowns on 43 receptions.
His eventual slide down the board to the final round of the NFL Draft wasn't due to production because McIntosh was a key contributor on a championship-winning Athens. Instead, his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine seemed to affect his draft stock negatively.
The former Bulldog ran a 4.62 40-yard dash, making him the third-slowest back in Indianapolis that day. Emphasis on "that day," as his speed hasn't seemed to be an issue so far in Seattle.
“He’s really quick out there," Carroll said of McIntosh. "The coaches have commented that we are surprised at how quick he has looked 4.53 or something like that. There’s a lot of really good running backs that run that time so, that’s not the issue. But he has looked quicker than he did in the springtime that’s all I can say. Everyone’s fired up about it.”
McIntosh will look to continue being a "highlight" as training camp progresses.
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