The Seattle Seahawks were dealt an unfortunate blow over the weekend after running back Kenny McIntosh sustained a serious injury during Saturday’s practice.
McIntosh, who was in competition for snaps behind running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, was carried off the field during a special teams drill. While Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is scheduled to speak with reporters on Monday, July 28, the team officially announced McIntosh’s season was over before his press conference.
The third-year running back suffered a knee injury, and it’s believed he tore his ACL. The Seahawks’ seventh-rounder from the 2023 NFL draft played limited snaps last season but made the most of them. He averaged 5.5 yards on 31 carries for 172 yards. The former Georgia standout also participated in 173 snaps on special teams.
While McIntosh looks to make a comeback in 2026, the Seahawks moved to sign an unusual replacement in his spot.
The Seahawks Signed Safety DK Kaufman, Who’s Switching to Play RB This Season
Instead of adding an experienced running back, the Seahawks added DK Kaufman, an undrafted rookie out who spent his college career playing safety. His experience at running back is limited to a short stint in high school.
Kaufman started out his collegiate career at Vanderbilt before transferring to Auburn. During the 2023 season with the Tigers, he recorded 37 total tackles, one interception that he rushed for 41 yards, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He also contributed to special teams, returning 15 kickoffs for 469 yards (31.3 yards per return), per 24/7 Sports.
The 5-foot-10, 215-pounder played at North Carolina State in 2024, registering 74 total tackles, a pick six, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Kaufman, a New Orleans native, is a familiar face, as the free safety participated in the Seahawks’ rookie mini-camp as a tryout player. Ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, he scored a 9.36 Related Athletic Score out of a possible 10.00. “This ranked 78 out of 1207 FS from 1987 to 2025,” RAS posted.
Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker Looks ‘Explosive’ During Training Camp
GettySeahawks running back Kenneth Walker III at Lumen Field on October 27, 2024.
Kaufman seems more like a practice squad candidate than a true competition on the 53-man roster. Luckily, the Seahawks’ top running back, Walker, who dealt with a minor ankle injury during voluntary offseason workouts and minicamp, is good to go.
Seahawks reporter John Boyle described him as “healthy” and as “explosive as ever” following day 1 of training camp.
“He looks great,” Macdonald said of Walker. “He’s in a great spot, mentally. Just awesome to see him do all the things that we want him to do from the get-go. I know he’s really excited about what’s going on. Great first day with Ken.”
Last season, Walker recorded 153 rushes for 573 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. Charbonnet registered 135 rushes for 569 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games and starts.
The Seahawks also have 2025 seventh-rounder Damien Martinez, 2024 undrafted rookie George Holani, and 2025 undrafted rookie Jacardia Wright.
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