The Seahawks 2022 rookie class continued to shine in Week 7, aiding in a 37-23 road victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Rookie running back Kenneth Walker III continues to shine as his workload increases, and for his play Sunday he earned FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors.
Expectations have been high for Walker since Seattle selected the former Michigan State Spartan in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The 2021 Doak Campbell trophy and Walter Camp Player of the Year award winner has been promoted to Seattle's primary back following running back Rashaad Penny’s broken fibula suffered in Week 5. After scoring his first career touchdown on a 69-yard run in Seattle's 39-32 loss to New Orleans, Walker has been on a tear, rushing for 265 yards and three touchdowns over his last two games. In Seattle's 37-23 win over the Saints, Walker III rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries (7.3 ypc), and helped seal the win with a 74-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
On Sunday, Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll discussed Walker's 74-yard touchdown following the win.
"Somebody was hollering about there might have been a flag or something," said Carroll. "So I didn't get to enjoy it quite as much as I will. The guys went nuts about it. It just looked so cool. He just came right to us. I think it was [TE Will] Dissly and [TE] Noah [Fant], they had a great combination block to get the thing sprung and out he went. I don't think anybody touched him. He certainly has big-play ability. You can see the speed that he has. It wasn't even in doubt. It's really exciting to see that happen."
Carroll also reflected on Walker's performance and overall abilities: "He really did have some terrific runs. He had a great three-yard run one time when he got caught in the backfield. He just has a ton of ability. He's really a natural football player. There is nothing he can't do. There is nothing he can't do. He can catch it. He can run it. He can break big plays. He can run short yardage. He can run off tackle. He can run around the edge like you saw him on the big play. It's a terrific draft pick. He's a terrific guy to add to our football team and he's doing it."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from Week 7 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers on October 23, 2022 at SoFi Stadium. Eye On The Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Bruce Irvin is greeted on game day morning by assistant coaches. Irvin, a former first round draft pick who played five seasons with the Seahawks previously, signed with the team again and made the trip to Los Angeles.
Poona Ford walks to the buses for the game against the Chargers.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith makes his way to the team buses for the game day ride to SoFi Stadium.
Receiver Tyler Lockett stretches before the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll talks with Mark Sanchez prior to the game. Sanchez, a former player of Carroll's at USC, is now a broadcast analyst.
Geno Smith takes his early warmup throws.
Seahawks offensive skill position players huddle on the field after their early warmup session.
12's in the stands were ready to welcome Bruce Irvin back to the team.
Dee Eskridge and Darwin Thompson relax on the sideline before pregame warmups.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe sits at his locker before the game.
Seahawks safeties Quandre Diggs and Ryan Neal hydrate in the locker room before the game.
Quarterback Geno Smith prepares to leave the locker room.
Geno Smith leads the Seahawks into SoFi Stadium.
Darrell Taylor walks onto the field.
Captains Al Woods, Quandre Diggs and Nick Bellore meeting with officials and the Cardinals captains for the coin toss.
Geno Smith fires a pass from a clean pocket provided by his offensive line including center Austin Blythe (63).
Running back Kenneth Walker III makes a Chargers defender miss in open field.
Receiver Marquise Goodwin makes a touchdown reception for the first of his two scores.
Safety Ryan Neal intercepts a pass across the middle.
Seahawks defenders celebrate in the end zone after Ryan Neal's interception.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III drags Chargers defenders with him into the end zone for a touchdown.
Seattle's Myles Adams pressures Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor strips the ball from Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert which Taylor then recovered and returned for more yardage.
Marquise Goodwin leaps high to snag his second touchdown pass from Geno Smith in the first half.
Marquise Goodwin celebrates his touchdown with an end zone "long jump" that paid homage to his track career which saw him compete as a long jumper in the 2012 Olympics.
At halftime, Geno Smith and quarterbacks coach Dave Canales listen to offensive coordinator Shane Waldron as he talks to the offense in the locker room.
Offensive line coach Andy Dickerson talks to his players in the locker room at halftime.
Receiver Tyler Lockett signals "first down" after a clutch third down grab to help extend a long drive in the third quarter.
After the Seahawks took a safety in the third quarter, Darrell Taylor gathered the defense around him before they retook the field.
Kenneth Walker III heads to the end zone at the end of a 74-yard scoring play that helped ice the game.
On the sidelines, Darrell Taylor celebrates with Uchenna Nwosu.
12s seated behind the Seahawks bench celebrate towards the end of the game.
In the locker room, Bruce Irvin is congratulated by assitant coach Aaron Curry.
In the postgame locker room, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll recognizes the play of Uchenna Nwosu on his return to face his former team.
