Kenneth Walker Seattle Seahawks
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Kenneth Walker Seattle Seahawks
Last season was not kind to Kenneth Walker III. The Seattle Seahawks running back has dealt with injury after injury the last few years, and Last season had the most considerable effect on his game.
Walker went from averaging 4.1 yards per carry in 2023 to 3.7 yards per carry in 2024. Additionally, Walker played in just 11 games before being placed on season-ending injured reserve atthe end of December due to an ankle injury.
Walker has heard the talk about his inability to stay healthy.There’s also been discussion of Walker losing his starting running back role to Zach Charbonnet. Walker knows he needs a productive season to quiet that noise, and that starts with his preparation in the offseason.
Changing Habits
Kenneth Walker III knew something had to change in his routine this offseason to get back to the player who flashed in his rookie season with the Seahawks. In his rookie year, he averaged a career high 4.6 yards per carry to go along with 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games.
Walker went about changing his habits with a helpful push from his Dad, as he told Bob Condotta ofThe Seattle Times.
“He really helped me out with my routine and everything, my eating habits,”Walker said. “If I eat somethinghe’ll be like ‘Nah youshouldn’t be eating that.’He always will talk me about that type of stuff. Now I just got the discipline to do it.”
Walker is also trying to return to the sleeping schedule he had at Michigan State, where he was ultra successful.
“Even my body, recovery-wise, it has helped a lot,’’ he said. “A lot of times when I used to stay up a lot, my legs,won’t be fully recovered how it is now. Even extra recovery after I leave the building, helps a lot too. So I definitely noticed the difference and progression.”
Despite still experiencing some health hurdles in the early portions of training camp, Walker has shown improvement recently.
Encouraging End to Training Camp
After missing time with nagging injuries once again earlier in training camp, Kenneth Walker III appears to be getting back on track.
Ari Horton ofSeahawks.com, in her August 21 article on Walker, detailed how Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald had been encouraged byWalker’s presence at practice.
“He looks great. He is fast. He is hitting his targets, reading it out pretty well,”Macdonald said. “It’s exciting to have him out there. When he has been out there,it’s been really good.”
Walker’s new quarterback, Sam Darnold, also had glowing praise for Walker.
“Ken’s always great,”Darnold said. “It’s always great to have him out there.He’s such a fireball just the way that he runs the rock. His attitude out there on the field, him and Charbs [Zach Charbonnet] and George [Holani] getting some touches as well. Soit’s just great whenever you get everybody out there.”
Walker knows 2025 is a make-or-break season for his time in Seattle, andhe’s putting in the effort to put his best foot forward.