Seahawks 2024 camp update: RB Kenny McIntosh suffers a major ACL injury, while RT Abe Lucas returns. Get the latest on their status and Uchenna Nwosu.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The first day of padded practice is always a day of reckoning, and for the Seahawks, it delivered both a devastating blow and a massive sigh of relief. The joy of seeing the team at full tilt was immediately tempered by heartbreaking news from the backfield, as second-year running back Kenny McIntosh is believed to have suffered a season-ending torn ACL. It's a harsh dose of reality that underscores the violent nature of the game, casting a shadow over an otherwise intense and promising day at the VMAC.
He's like the best drill player I've ever seen in my life... that's the standard that he's setting for our front.
The worst fears were realized for Kenny McIntosh. After going down in Wednesday's practice, the initial diagnosis is a torn ACL, a significant blow to a running back corps that relied on his versatility. The injury news didn't stop there. Head Coach Mike Macdonald added to the concern, stating that star edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu 'may not be ready by Week 1' as he continues his own recovery from a knee injury. Losing two key contributors is a tough pill to swallow and immediately tests the team's depth before the calendar even hits August.
Just as the injury news began to sink in, a welcome sight emerged on the other side of the ball. Right tackle Abe Lucas, who battled a chronic knee issue all last season, was a full participant in practice without so much as a sleeve on his knee. Analyst Dave Wyman confidently noted, 'He got his knee fixed and he's fine.' A healthy Lucas is a game-changer for this offensive line. His return to form solidifies the right side and provides crucial stability for the entire unit, a massive positive development that can't be overstated.
With Uchenna Nwosu's status in doubt, the signing of DeMarcus Lawrence is looking more prescient by the day. The veteran edge rusher is already making a profound impact. Coach Macdonald was glowing in his praise, lauding Lawrence's practice habits and leadership. 'He's like the best drill player I've ever seen in my life,' Macdonald said. 'That's the standard that he's setting for our front.' In a moment where the defense needed a veteran to step up, Lawrence is not just filling a gap; he's setting a new, higher standard for the entire defensive line.
The intensity of padded practice brought position battles into sharp focus. Safety D'Anthony Bell made the day's most memorable play, snagging an interception on a Sam Darnold pass intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Bell, who signed a one-year deal in March, is making a strong case for the fourth safety spot. Meanwhile, the front office continues to churn the bottom of the roster, signing DT Thor Griffith and waiving DT Justin Rogers, just a day after placing McIntosh on IR and bringing in RB D.K. Kaufman. Every rep and every roster spot is being fiercely contested.
Today was a stark reminder of the highs and lows of an NFL training camp. The loss of McIntosh is a gut punch, no question. But the resilience is already showing. Abe Lucas's health is a massive win, DeMarcus Lawrence is already proving his worth, and hungry players like D'Anthony Bell are stepping up. Now, all eyes turn to the running back room to see who seizes this unfortunate opportunity and how the defensive front continues to gel under its new veteran leadership. The pads are on, the battles are real, and the 2025 Seahawks are being forged in the fire.
