Kenneth Walker III Injury: Seattle Rookie Back Could Land on IR

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said after Tuesday’s practice that rookie running back Kenneth Walker III suffered “a little hernia thing” and will be held out of practice with the goal of having him ready for Week 1.

Unfortunately, the Pro Football Docs believe that Walker will more-than-likely undergo sports hernia repair surgery that will keep him out for 6 weeks and could land him on the short-term IR.

The injury is another hit to the Seahawks' running back room, which has suffered the retirement of Chris Carson and now injuries to Penny and Walker III and has an SIC score of 72 for 2022.

Kenneth Walker III Injury Update

After coming into his first training camp with no injury concerns, the rookie running back will start the season with an SIC score of 74 because of the risk of multiple missed games.

The injury comes at an unfortunate time for the Heisman Trophy finalist, who got a lion’s share of the first team reps and started the preseason opener last week while incumbent starter Rashaad Penny was out with a groin strain. 

Carroll said last Thursday that he was impressed with Walker III, who rushed five times for 19 yards and added an 11-yard reception last Saturday, and would be comfortable if he was forced to play all three downs.

Sports hernia injuries are difficult to recover from without surgery, according to the Docs. Those challenges are exacerbated for running backs, who use their core muscles heavily. 

He could very easily be placed on short-term IR to open the season, keeping him out for three games with a potential return in Week 4.

Rashaad Penny Injury Update

On the same day that Walker III was ruled out, the fifth-year Penny returned to practice from a groin strain. 

The oft-injured back missed a week of OTAs with a hamstring injury and will have an SIC score of 79 when the season begins because of his history of soft-tissue injuries and his 2019 torn left ACL.