The Seattle Seahawks knew they'd be without Jadarian Price for Week 4 after he aggravated a chest injury he initially sustained in Week 3. Now, he will miss at least the next four games with the ailment after he was placed on injured reserve. Meanwhile, former Seattle star Kenneth Walker continues to do great things with his new team, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Not everything is cut and dry, of course. Walker is a veteran who understands his running style extremely well, and Kansas City knew how to use the explosive back. Price is in his first season in the NFL after serving as a backup for Notre Dame. He is likely still overwhelmed by what is expected of him.
What is certain is that he wasn't ready to replace Walker, and he might have needed a full season to attempt to do so. He won't be helped by missing more games than he has played by the time he returns.
Seattle Seahawks place Jadarian Price on injured reserve
Seattle also might have a running back returning, but will be losing one in the coming weeks. Zach Charbonnet was back practicing this week and could return for Week 5. Price won't come back until at least Week 8.
Charbonnet injured his knee in last season's playoffs after splitting time for most of three years with Walker. Walker was more of the lightning-quick tailback, while Charbonnet was more of the boom. Both had power, but Charbonnet had more. Both had speed, but Walker had more.
So far through three games, Walker leads the NFL in rushing with 360 yards, 120 yards a game, and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He's run for two touchdowns but scored two more receiving.
Price wasn't being completely shut down, as he was averaging 4.3 yards per carry, but he had also fumbled twice. The latter of those two appeared to get him benched in Week 3 during the first half. A running back can be ineffective rushing the ball, but creating turnovers is the worst thing he could do.
This brings up another comparison of Jadarian Price to Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, too. Walker and Charbonnet never lost a fumble in their combined seven season running the ball for the Seattle Seahawks. Price fumbled twice in three games.
It is, of course, far too early to say Seattle should have re-signed Walker in free agency instead of letting him leave for the Chiefs. Three games, nor even one season, will tell the tale long-term. But Price does need to come back in Week 8 or around that and stay healthy and productive. That is why the team chose him in the first round this year.
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