Kenneth Walker likely out again for Seahawks. 2 other starters doubtful to play vs. Miami

The last time Kenneth Walker had this injury, he missed two games.

It appears he’s going to miss at least that many this time.

Walker was wearing his cleats carrying his helmet off the practice field Friday. That’s the first time he’s been seen doing that since he injured his oblique two weeks ago.

“Progress,” coach Mike Macdonald said.

But...

“Not looking good for the game,” Macdonald said.

The first-place Seahawks (2-0) list their lead running back as doubtful to play Sunday when they host the Miami Dolphins (1-1) at Lumen Field (1:05 p.m., channel 7). He is still recovering from an oblique injury.

Zach Charbonnet is poised for his second consecutive start for Walker Sunday, as Seattle seeks its eighth 3-0 start in franchise history and first since 2020.

Charbonnet gained just 38 yards on 14 carries while Walker missed Seattle’s overtime win at New England last weekend. The Seahawks went from 146 yards rushing in week one with Walker to 46 yards in week two without him.

Coach Mike Macdonald didn’t see that as Charbonnet’s fault.

“We’ve got to move people, man,” on the offensive line, Macdonald said. “Right now we’re not moving them. So that’s a challenge for us moving forward.”

Offensive-line coach Scott Huff says its an issue of fundamentals such as footwork, hands and techniques in those from his blockers.

“You know, the second half of the Denver game really felt like we came off the ball, ran the ball,” Huff told The News Tribune Thursday. “Well, obviously, we didn’t run the ball to our standard in the New England game. We want to be balanced at the end of the day. We want to give the option to run or throw.

“So I think just, we need to be more consistent with our communication and fundamentals.”

Rookie George Holani from Boise State injured his ankle in his NFL debut up from the practice squad last week at New England. So Kenny McIntosh could get more time as the running back behind Charbonnett Sunday against Miami.

McIntosh, Seattle’s seventh-round draft choice last year, got just three snaps against the Patriots in 70 offensive plays for the Seahawks last weekend.

Walker was the Seahawks’ 1,050-yard back as a rookie in 2022 and 905-yard rusher last season had an oblique injury last November. He missed two starts before he returned in December 2023.

He’s yet to practice since he got hurt late in Seattle’s season-opening win over Denver Sept. 8. Walker had 20 rushes for 103 yards in that game, his seventh career 100-yard rushing day.

He jogged and ran on a side field before practices Wednesday and Thursday this week, with a trainer guiding the workout. When each of those practices started Walker went into the team’s facility with the trainer.

Uchenna Nwosu out again

Key outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu is out for Sunday. He will miss his third consecutive game since he sprained his knee getting cut blocked by Cleveland guard Wyatt Teller in the preseason finale Aug. 24.

Nwosu was the Seahawks’ top pass rusher in 2022. He re-signed with Seattle on a $45 million contract last year then tore his pectoral in early October 2023. He missed the final 11 games of last season.

Without him, the team finished 31st in the NFL in run defense in 2023. And it gave up 185 yards rushing to the Patriots last weekend.

Converted end Dre’Mont Jones has been starting at outside linebacker and second-year man Derick Hall has been playing more with Nwosu out.

The Seahawks added Hall to the injury report following Friday’s practice. He’s questionable with a hip injury.

The fact they didn’t put him on injured reserve to begin the season this month indicated the Seahawks believed Nwosu would be back before the fourth game. Players on IR must miss a minimum of four games, per league rules.

Seattle’s next, fourth game is at Detroit Monday night Sept. 30.

“I know he’s optimistic, and he’s progressing really quickly,” Macdonald said. “It’d be great to have him back next week, you know.

“That would justify not putting him on IR.”

Dolphins’ run game

With Miami starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve with another concussion and backup Skylar Thompson making his fourth career start, expect Dolphins coach and play caller Mike McDaniel to run, run and run some more at Seattle.

To that end, McDaniel told reporters in South Florida Friday he’s “pessimistic” Dolphins lead back Raheem Mostert will play Sunday. He injured his chest in Miami’s opener two weeks ago and missed the team’s 31-10 home loss to Buffalo last week. The Dolphins list him as doubtful for Sunday.

Backup D’Von Achane, recently banged up, will start for Miami in Seattle. Jeff Wilson will be the second running back.

Starting tackle likely out again

The team initially listed right tackle George Fant doubtful to play against Miami. He injured his knee in week one.

Macdonald said after practice Friday the team is likely to be downgraded Fant to out for Sunday.

Stone Forsythe is ready to start again for Fant this week. He was solid and at time strong against the Patriots.

Macdonald said Forsythe has improved since the first half of the opener against Denver.

That mirrors the performance of the offensive line Huff mentioned.

Starting linebacker likely out

Jerome Baker’s chances of playing against his former Dolphins Sunday are low. Seattle’s new starting weakside linebacker is doubftul because of a concussion.

That means more of rookie fourth-round draft choice Tyrice Knight next to middle linebacker Tyrel Dodson in the center of Seattle’s defense. Macdonald has said Knight continues to learn the defense and reading NFL offenses, sometimes the hard way.

Questionable

Boye Mafe, the Seahawks’ leader in sacks with two through two games, is questionable for Sunday. He injured his knee late in the New England game.

“He’s trending positively,” Macdonald said, adding “it looks good” Mafe will play Sunday.

Safety K’Von Wallace (shoulder), tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot) and wide receiver Laviska Shenault (foot) are questionable. Macdonald said all three have good chances to play Sunday.

It would be Brown’s Seahawks debut. The veteran the team signed from New England this offseason got hurt in the second of two joint practices Seattle had with the Tennessee Titans in Nashville Aug. 14.