As Week 6’s Sunday slate draws closer, the injury picture at running back is starting to sharpen - and in a few cases, it’s still messy. Quinshon Judkins, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and TreVeyon Henderson are among the names worth watching, while Alvin Kamara, Rico Dowdle and Jadarian Price are also working through their own situations.
A handful of backs are already out of the picture. Saquon Barkley, Jeremiyah Love, Breece Hall and Kyle Monangai have been ruled out.
Judkins is dealing with an ankle injury he picked up in the Browns’ Week 5 loss to the Jets. He missed the first two days of practice, then returned for a limited session to close the week, which left him with a questionable designation. With just one limited practice on the ledger, his status looks like a true toss-up.
Croskey-Merritt had a tougher start to the week. The back known as “Bill” was unable to practice on Thursday or Friday, and he still has one more chance to get on the field Saturday before Washington sorts out his game status. At this point, questionable appears to be the best-case outcome.
Henderson has been the surprise of the group. After a high-ankle sprain, the expectation was that he’d miss the week entirely.
Instead, he managed three limited practices and was listed as questionable. “I feel pretty good.
We’ll see how things go,” Henderson said during the week, according to Evan Lazar of Patriots.com. Even with that encouraging participation, a multi-week injury like this usually keeps a player sidelined, so the lean here is still toward him not playing.
Kamara is still managing the back issue that surfaced in Week 4. He matched his week with three limited practices before landing on the questionable list.
That was actually a step forward from last week, when he had only two limited sessions before being listed as questionable and then ultimately suiting up. The expectation here is that he’ll be active again.
Dowdle’s situation has also improved. He hasn’t played since Week 2 because of a toe injury, but this week included two full practices, even though he still carries a questionable tag. The signs point to him being available, though his workload could be limited with Jaylen Warren playing so well lately.
Price remains on injured reserve because of his chest injury, but there was a positive note on Friday. Mike Macdonald told Seattle Sports 710 AM that Price may be back “sooner rather than later,” which suggests a Week 8 return - the first week he’s eligible - is in play. If he does come back then, he’ll step into a crowded backfield, with Zach Charbonnet expected back and Emanuel Wilson expected to keep getting touches.
In Other News...
NFL Just Confirmed Seahawks Fans Had Every Right To Be Furious
Late in Seattles matchup with San Francisco, Jaxon Smith-Njigba took a hit from 49ers safety Malik Mustapha that never drew a flag on the field, even though it was later deemed a violation for hitting a defenseless player. The lack of a penalty at the time left Seahawks fans with plenty to gripe about, especially in a game where every late snap carried extra weight.
The NFLs review backed up that frustration, fining Mustapha $6,998 for the play and effectively confirming the missed call. No other players from the game were fined, but for Seattle supporters, the bigger point is hard to miss: the league looked at the same hit and came to the conclusion many in the building already had. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Have A Pass Protection Problem Fans Cant Ignore
Through six games, the Seahawks offensive line has already become one of the clearest pressure points on the roster, and the latest reminder came in a rough afternoon against Denver. Pro Football Focus charted 26 pressures allowed on quarterback Sam Darnold, who was under duress 27 times overall, a number that underscored just how often the pocket collapsed before plays could fully develop.
It was not just one spot breaking down, either. Charles Cross, Abraham Lucas, Jalen Sundell, Grey Zabel, Christian Haynes and Beau Stephens all had their share of pressures allowed, while George Holani has also had trouble in pass protection. For a team trying to build any kind of offensive rhythm, the issue is no longer isolated enough to shrug off, and it is starting to shape every conversation about how the offense can function going forward. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks May Need WR Help More Than Fans Want To Admit
Seattle has made clear where the passing game is centered, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba has become the focal point of the offense. Even so, the Seahawks may not be done looking for answers at wide receiver, especially if they want to keep defenses from keying in on one main target. With the trade market always a factor this time of year, the conversation around potential help has started to pick up again.
Jerry Jeudy, Brian Thomas Jr. and Jauan Jennings have all come up as possible fits, each bringing a different profile and recent production to the table. The appeal is obvious for Seattle: add another receiver who can take some pressure off Smith-Njigba and give the passing game more balance. Whether the Seahawks actually push for a move is still an open question, but the need for more depth at the position is starting to feel harder to ignore. [Read more 🡒]