Last week, Mike Macdonald hinted at making a significant change to the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive scheme. Yesterday, he showed it wasn’t empty coachspeak but a new reality in Seattle.
Following the Seahawks’ Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Macdonald said running back Kenneth Walker III could become involved in the game plan going forward. The Athletic’s Michael Shawn-Dugar tweeted, “Mike Macdonald says you could feel Ken Walker III’s impact on the ground and in the passing game Sunday and that ‘Ken is showing that he deserves some more opportunities.’”
On Sunday, Walker logged his season-high snap percentage in yesterday’s 30-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans. While he only had 11 carries, he was utilized in 63% of Seattle’s offensive plays. It was the first time he exceeded the 60% mark since Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season. And that might just be the start.
Waiting for Walker’s Breakout
Walker’s limited usage so far this season has been a major point of contention for Seahawks fans. The Michigan State product has been in a roughly 50/50 timeshare with Zach Charbonnet despite looking more explosive, productive, and versatile.
The stats bear it out. Walker is averaging 4.6 yards per carry compared to Charbonnet’s 3.5 ypc. Granted, Charbonnet has received most of the goal-line work, which has limited his efficiency.
Nonetheless, Seahawks fans have called for Macdonald and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to let Walker loose. Sunday’s performance wasn’t the unbridled onslaught some fans may have envisioned, but it was certainly an improvement.
Walker rushed 11 times for 71 yards and added 30 receiving yards on three catches. Charbonnet, who played 31% of offensive snaps, had six rushes for 35 yards. In typical fashion, he added a goal-line rushing touchdown, too.
“I thought [Walker] did a great job,” Mike Macdonald told reporters after the game, according to Ali Horton of Seahawks.com “It was great to see Zach [Charbonnet] punch it in the red zone. We wanted to run. Those guys played well together. Thought they protected the quarterback well. We caught it well out of the backfield. I felt Ken [Walker] today. He made some explosive plays for us, which was great.”
Jaxon Smith-Njigba also praised Walker following the win. “[Walker’s] elusiveness is next level. Never seen it before, and we just got to block better and create more open lanes for him,” he said.
Walker’s Injury Status
Another reason for optimism is that Walker saw his highest snap-percentage of the season after appearing on the injury report earlier in the week. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Walker was dealing with a glute injury. It was the first time this season that Walker was on the injury report.
Macdonald downplayed Walker’s injury from the start, calling the designation “precautionary” and adding that he expected Walker to play in Week 11. After the injury designation was announced, there was concern that it would limit Walker’s touches, dashing the hopes of the big breakout game.
With Walker trending toward being fully healthy, there’s a chance he sees an increased workload once again when the Seahawks face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Mike Macdonald Stands by His Word, Makes Major Change for Seahawks appeared first on Heavy Sports.