Seattle Seahawks 2022 second-round pick Kenneth Walker III is expected to lead the team's backfield going forward following Rashaad Penny's likely season-ending Week 5 injury.
Walker started his debut campaign off slowly as he spelled starting running back Rashaad Penny in the early weeks of the season, but will likely now have to carry the load for the team after Penny suffered likely season-ending injuries to his ankle and fibula. Walker dealt with a hernia injury earlier in the season, but appears to be back up close to full strength heading into Week 6.
Walker looked explosive in Week 5 after Penny suffered his injuries, and received nearly every running back opportunity as the game drew to a close. His 59-yard rushing touchdown kept the Seahawks in the game in Week 5, and his top speed of 20.93 MPH on that rush ranks as the 15th-fastest speed among ball carriers so far this season. Walker profiled as a bellcow back coming out of Michigan State this offseason, and is now in line for a massive workload as the Seahawks' primary ball carrier.