Injury Overshadows High Hopes as New-Look Seahawks Take Shape

• Running back Kenny McIntosh was carried off the field with a potentially significant left leg injury.
• Running back Kenneth Walker III returned to full participation in practice after an ankle issue.
• New Head Coach Mike Macdonald praised veteran DE DeMarcus Lawrence's high-energy work ethic.
• The injury cast a somber mood over an otherwise energetic start to the Seahawks' new era.

The energy at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center took a somber turn Saturday as a promising third day of training camp was marred by a potentially significant injury. Running back Kenny McIntosh was carried off the field by trainers after going down during a special teams drill, unable to put any weight on his left leg. The immediate concern from teammates and Head Coach Mike Macdonald cast a cloud over a camp that is otherwise buzzing with the energy of a new era.

He's like the best drill player I've ever seen in my life... it is 1,000% every rep.

Backfield in Flux: A Major Scare and a Welcome Return

While the Seahawks await news on McIntosh, who was competing for a key role in the backfield, there was a positive development in the same position group. Kenneth Walker III, who had been limited by an ankle issue, was a full participant in practice. Coach Macdonald noted that Walker looked 'great,' a welcome sight for an offense that will rely heavily on its ground game. The contrasting fates of the two backs on a single day highlight the razor-thin margins players operate on during camp.

The Lawrence Effect: A New Standard on Defense

On the other side of the ball, the new veteran presence is already paying dividends. Head Coach Mike Macdonald had effusive praise for 12th-year defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, whose work ethic is setting the tone. Lawrence's intensity is clearly infectious, as second-year pass rusher Derick Hall also had an impressive, high-energy practice. This emerging leadership is crucial, especially with Uchenna Nwosu's Week 1 status still uncertain and nose tackle Johnathan Hankins starting camp on the non-football injury list with a back issue.

Forging a New Foundation on Offense

The theme of building anew extends to the offensive line, where right tackle Abe Lucas is focused on one thing: staying on the field. After missing 21 games over the last two seasons, a healthy Lucas is viewed as a cornerstone. He's now tasked with anchoring a line protecting a new quarterback in Sam Darnold and creating lanes for a revamped offense featuring star receiver Cooper Kupp. Lucas spoke of building chemistry with his new teammates and described Darnold as a 'quiet competitor.' For an offense that saw the departure of Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett, the ability of this new foundation to gel is paramount.

Today was a microcosm of any NFL training camp: the exhilarating highs of new leaders stepping up and the devastating lows of a potential injury. The immediate focus will be on the severity of Kenny McIntosh's injury, a situation that could reshape the running back room. But the larger story remains how quickly this dramatically overhauled roster, led by Darnold, Lawrence, and Kupp, can build the chemistry needed to compete. Health and cohesion—those are the watchwords for the 2025 Seahawks.