RENTON — The Seahawks appear to have caught a break when it comes to the health of running back Kenneth Walker III.
Coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday that tests conducted over the last few days showed no significant injury and that Walker is classified by the team as day-to-day.
Walker missed the Seahawks’ 30-18 win at Arizona on Sunday because of a calf injury that emerged during practice last week.
“It got kind of complicated as the week went on, so that’s why we had to do some more tests and stuff,’’ Macdonald said. “But right now there are positive signs, so we’ll just say day-to-day, I think, is fair. But it’s not long term.’’
Walker sat out practice again Wednesday and Macdonald said the team would “like to see him (practice) at some point this week, but I wouldn’t say that would exclude him from playing” if he didn’t.
The Seahawks had their best rushing day of the season Sunday — and best in almost two years — without Walker, gaining 176 on 31 carries in a 30-18 win at Arizona, led by the 134 on 22 carries of second-year player Zach Charbonnet.
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Few would argue the Seahawks don’t need Walker. But the Arizona game showed that running-game success is dependent on a lot of factors, notably the offensive line, which by all accounts had its best game against the Cardinals.
The Seahawks got 38 yards on seven carries from second-year back Kenny McIntosh as well as 7 yards on two receptions as he had the most significant playing time of his career.
That the Seahawks know they can rely on Charbonnet and McIntosh if needed could allow them to not have to rush Walker back.
McIntosh had just 16 yards on four carries in his career before Sunday — all in garbage-time situations earlier this season. McIntosh was the team’s leading rusher in the preseason, and Macdonald said it was good to see him validate that success with his performance Sunday.
“In practice or the preseason when he’s had his opportunities to run the ball (he’s shown) that he’s a dang good back and can make it happen with the ball in his hands and he can also catch it out of backfield as well,’’ Macdonald said. “… proud that he got to show what he can do.’’
Walker missed two games earlier this season against New England and Miami with Charbonnet filling in as the starter for both games. The Seahawks won all three games.
They also elevated rookie George Holani off the practice squad for Sunday’s game and the former Boise State standout played two snaps and made one reception for minus-1 yard. Holani can only be elevated one more time this season before having to go on the 53-man roster to play.
The Seahawks added to the depth of their running-back room by re-signing Brittain Brown to the practice squad. Brown was on the practice squad for two months earlier this season before being released on Nov. 26.
Brown was a seventh-round pick of the Raiders in 2022 out of UCLA, where he was teammates with Charbonnet, and appeared in six games with the Raiders in 2022 without getting a carry.
DBs Wallace, Burns return to practice
The Seahawks designated two members of their secondary as returning to practice off injured reserve Wednesday — safety K’Von Wallace and cornerback Artie Burns.
Wallace has been out since a loss to the Rams on Nov. 3 with an ankle injury.
Burns has played just one game this season, a loss on Oct. 10 against the 49ers, before re-aggravating a lingering toe injury.
They can practice for 21 days before having to go on the 53-man roster or stay on IR for the rest of the season.
The Seahawks could have some needs at cornerback depending on the health of Tre Brown. Brown missed the Cardinals game with a hamstring injury that crept up late in the week, and he did not practice on Wednesday.
“(His) hammy grabbed a little bit, so he’s working through that right now,’’ Macdonald said.
Wallace and Burns were listed as full participants in practice.
Seahawks going with action green
A Sunday night game means the Seahawks are pulling out their action green uniforms, which are either famous or infamous depending on which side of the sartorial aisle you stand on.
It is the first time this season they are wearing the action green.
Receiver DK Metcalf says he considers the action green his favorite of the team’s uniform combinations while understanding why others might not agree.
“I would say this about the action green, I love them personally in my opinion,’’ Metcalf said. “But the big guys hate them. I don’t know why; don’t ask me. But no, I think our opponents really admire the action green jerseys. Hopefully, the Packers wear all white, so it’ll be a fun-looking game.”
Macdonald joked that he doesn’t have much action green in his closet.”
“It’s a good color, though, a great color,’’ he said. “I’m kind of cubic, so it’s not very flattering on me.’’
The Seahawks have played well in the action green, with a record of 5-2 since their debut in 2016.
Notes
Safety Jerrick Reed II (quad) also sat out practice Wednesday. But no other player sat out solely for injury reasons. Defensive end Leonard Williams (foot) and linebacker Ernest Jones IV (knee) also sat out for rest. Four other vets also got rest days — receiver Tyler Lockett, guard Laken Tomlinson, nose tackle Jarran Reed and linebacker Boye Mafe.
Two others were limited — punter Michael Dickson (back) and tight end Brady Russell (foot). The Seahawks don’t appear worried about Dickson’s injury as they cut punter Ty Zentner off the practice squad earlier this week after signing him on Friday as insurance with Dickson dealing with back spasms.
Offensive tackle Stone Forsythe was again listed as a full participant in practice. He returned to practice off IR on Nov. 27 and his 21-day practice window runs out next week.
Metcalf, who has been out or limited in practice much of the past two weeks with a shoulder issue, was listed as a full participant Wednesday.
Bob Condotta: bcondotta@seattletimes.com. Bob Condotta covers the Seahawks for the Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout the year.
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