Kenny McIntosh has managed to hang around the Seattle Seahawks after being a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, even though he's only been healthy for one season. Many teams might have let the late-round choice go, as he was simply taking up a roster spot that a player who could provide more could take.
After missing the entire 2025 season due to tearing his ACL in July, he is beginning the 2026 season on the physically unable to perform list. The assumption is that he is still dealing with the effects of hurting his knee, and that's fair. But that isn't the first time he's been hurt in the NFL.
As a rookie in 2023, he sprained his knee and had a hamstring injury. That limited him to just three games. He played in all 17 games in 2024 and got 31 carries. He averaged 5.5 yards per rush, and that is part of the problem.
Kenny McIntosh could be facing his final days with the Seattle Seahawks
A healthy McIntosh is probably the kind of player who can be a benefit to his team, potentially even getting some starter reps. When perfectly healthy, he is fast and is a threat to break off a long run or three. Knowing that makes his missing so much time difficult for both the player and the team. He teases greatness that will likely never come to fruition.
The hope is that the running back finds a team where he finally has enough luck health-wise that he can contribute to the success of his new team. He is seemingly unlikely to have that happen with the Seahawks in 2026. At best, he is the fourth-string back entering the season, and Seattle could only keep three tailbacks.
The assumption is that Jadarian Price will start in Week 1, while George Holani and free agent signee Emanuel Wilson serve as his backups. Zach Charbonnet will probably start on PUP after suffering a knee injury in the playoffs last season. His timeline for return is unknown, but December appears to be most realistic.
Deep on the depth chart with McIntosh are Velus Jones Jr. and Jacardia Wright. Two of the three, if not all three, could be candidates to sign to the practice squad. To compound their issues in making the active 53-man roster is that the Seattle Seahawks could keep two fullbacks: Brady Russell and Robbie Ouzts. There are only so many spots on an NFL roster, of course.
Kenny McIntosh's career could be one of what-ifs. Had he stayed healthy, he might have been a factor on special teams and valuable as a backup running back. He hasn't remained available for games, however. Football can be a cruel business, and McIntosh might be reminded of that before the season begins.
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