Seahawks notebook: Kenny McIntosh caps strong preseason in style

SEATTLE – Seattle Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh only got one carry in Saturday night’s preseason finale, but he sure made the most of it.

Instant observations from Seahawks’ preseason win vs Browns

Early in the second quarter, McIntosh burst through a hole on the left side that was opened up by a pair of nice blocks from wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. and guard Christian Haynes. The second-year running back then turned on the jets and delivered a devastating stiff-arm, sending Cleveland Browns reserve safety Chase Williams to the ground on his way to a 56-yard touchdown run in the Seahawks’ 37-33 win.

It capped an impressive preseason for McIntosh, who seems to have separated himself from George Holani for Seattle’s third running back role. McIntosh rushed for a team-high 142 yards and a TD on 17 carries over the three preseason games, while also catching five passes for 27 yards.

It was the first TD at the NFL level for McIntosh, who missed most of his rookie season last year after suffering a knee injury in training camp.

“Everything, man,” McIntosh said when asked what the touchdown run meant to him. “Everything. I had my parents up there in the crowd too today. It just meant everything to go out there and showcase my God-given abilities. So I just need to give my praise and thanks to God for allowing me to wait that long and still have that edge on my shoulder to go out there and stiff-arm and dominate.”

McIntosh, a 2023 seventh-round pick out of Georgia, said the stiff-arm was something that Seattle running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu has emphasized.

“I’ve definitely had it in my bag, but I would say coach KP is always emphasizing little things and stuff like that, so those are one of the things we always work on,” McIntosh said. “… It was in the back of my brain when I was running the ball.”

While McIntosh got the start on Saturday and is the No. 3 running back on the team’s public depth chart, Holani also had a strong preseason.

Holani ran seven times for 38 yards and a TD on Saturday, including a 1-yard scoring run and a nice 18-yard gain that came after he eluded two defenders behind the line of scrimmage. Over the three preseason games, the undrafted rookie out of Boise State rushed for 66 yards and two TDs on 15 carries, while adding three catches for 15 yards and making two tackles on special teams.

“I thought both played really well,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said. “George didn’t have the flashy run, but he had some tough, good runs. He fought back to the line of scrimmage to get positive yards. I think both made plays on special teams. So just two really good players, man.

“And Kenny Mac is another example of a guy that’s been working really, really hard. So for him to have an opportunity to make such a great play, I’m just really happy for him.”

Geno looks sharp in lone preseason cameo

Geno Smith certainly didn’t show any signs of rust.

In his only action of the preseason, the veteran quarterback directed a five-play, 62-yard touchdown drive on the Seahawks’ first possession of the game. He completed 4 of 5 passes for 62 yards, capped by a 21-yard TD pass to DK Metcalf.

“He made some great throws,” Macdonald said. “He was decisive. The plan was to do a couple series, but I think we saw enough there. He had a good five plays.”

After an incompletion on his first pass attempt, Smith lofted a picturesque throw to second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who came up with diving 25-yard reception. On the next play, Smith eluded a rusher and completed a 9-yard pass to McIntosh. Smith then hit Smith-Njigba again for a 7-yard completion before lofting the TD pass to Metcalf, who made a leaping grab in the corner of the end zone after outmuscling reserve cornerback Justin Hardee Sr.

It was a brief preview of what could be possible this season for Seattle’s offense, which has an array of playmakers and a new scheme under first-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.

Eskridge makes last-ditch push for roster spot

At the very least, Dee Eskridge might have forced a tough decision for the Seahawks brass ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster cutdown deadline.

Eskridge, a former second-round pick, appeared to be on the wrong side of the roster bubble heading into Saturday night. But with a 79-yard punt-return TD, the fourth-year pro made one final push for a spot on the team. Late in the first half, Eskridge fielded a punt near the left sideline, immediately eluded a defender, reversed field and showcased his blazing speed while racing to the end zone.

“He’s capable of making plays like that,” Macdonald said. “And that’s the type of player he is. So I’m proud of Dee. He’s worked his tail off and put himself in a good position here.”

Eskridge, a 2021 second-round pick, struggled to stay on the field over his first three seasons in Seattle, landing on the injured reserve three times and also serving a six-game suspension last year for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Even when healthy, his production hasn’t lived up to his draft status, as he’s totaled just 17 catches for 122 yards and one TD.

This year, Eskridge finds himself in a crowded battle for the Seahawks’ final wide receiver spots. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Smith-Njigba and Jake Bobo are all locks to make the team. Shenault also seems to have solidified a spot with an impressive preseason. And even if Seattle keeps more than five receivers, there’s additional competition for Eskridge, with Dareke Young and Easop Winston Jr. also in the mix.

Prior to Saturday night, Eskridge’s only two touches this preseason were a 22-yard gain on a jet sweep and a 3-yard punt return, both of which came in the preseason opener against the Chargers. He then missed the second preseason game against the Tennessee Titans with an undisclosed injury.

Eskridge had three catches for 19 yards on Saturday, but all three came in the second half against players deeper on the Browns’ depth chart. For Eskridge, his ticket to a roster spot is likely his talent as a returner. He had a 66-yard kick return against the San Francisco 49ers last year, which was the third-longest return in the NFL all season. On the Seahawks’ public depth chart, he’s listed as the No. 1 punt returner and the No. 2 kick returner.

“Really just leaving it all on the field,” Eskridge said of his mentality Saturday night. “I’m a firm believer in God and 1,000 percent of my faith is in Him. So I just came out here with the mentality of, if it’s my last time ever coming out here playing on this field, then so be it. God has a bigger plan. But I’m gonna go out here and have fun, keep (having) joy and then play like I did.

“I would love for it to be a Seahawk, but obviously we know this is business. Wherever I land or wherever I stay, it’s a blessing.”

Starting defense finishes solid preseason showing

The Seahawks’ starting defense capped a brief but strong preseason by shutting down the Browns’ mostly backup-laden offense on the game’s first series.

Seattle initially appeared to force a three-and-out, but a roughing-the-passer penalty on edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu extended the drive, negating a third-down pass breakup at the line of scrimmage by edge rusher Boye Mafe.

However, the Browns weren’t able to take advantage of the extra opportunity. Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson nearly came up with an interception on the ensuing first-down play and defensive lineman Jarran Reed sacked backup quarterback Jameis Winston on third down to force a punt.

Seattle played nearly every projected regular-season starter on the series, except for the injured trio of linebacker Jerome Baker, safety Rayshawn Jenkins and defensive end Dre’Mont Jones.

“Overall, good,” Macdonald said of the starting unit’s performance. “The energy was there. Execution was solid. We had the penalty on the third down, which is a little bit of the theme of the night, which is something that we need to clean up moving forward. But it’s good to get the stop after we gave up the penalty.”

The only other action the Seahawks’ starting defense got this preseason came in the opener against the Chargers, when the unit played two series and forced a pair of three-and-outs. Over its three series this preseason, Seattle’s first-team defense allowed a total of just 12 yards on 11 plays and surrendered its only first down via a penalty.

Nwosu, Burns leave with injuries

The biggest downside from Saturday night were injuries to Nwosu and veteran cornerback Artie Burns. Macdonald said the team hopes to know more about the severity of both injuries in the coming days.

Nwosu exited with a knee injury on the first series of the game after Browns guard Wyatt Teller committed an illegal chop block that sent Seattle’s veteran edge rusher to the ground and resulted in a penalty. Nwosu remained on the ground for a minute before jogging off the field.

Nwosu, who had 9.5 sacks for the Seahawks in 2022, is expected to be a major part of the team’s pass rush after missing most of last season with a torn pectoral muscle. His absence was certainly felt last year, with Seattle allowing 1.1 more yards per pass attempt and 1.5 more yards per carry in the 11 games he missed.

When asked for his thoughts on Teller’s chop block, Macdonald declined to elaborate.

“I don’t really want to comment on it,” Macdonald said. “It seemed like an obvious penalty.”

On Seattle’s second defensive series, Burns was racing to cover a receiver when he suddenly pulled up and started limping. He then jogged off the field with a limp and was later carted off. Macdonald confirmed after that game that it was a foot injury.

Burns has appeared set for a rotational role in the Seahawks’ deep cornerback group, behind projected starters Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen and Tre Brown.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Seattle Seahawks beat Browns 37-33 in preseason finale
• Seahawks trade Darrell Taylor in second deal in as many days
• Seattle Seahawks trade veteran CB for rookie who’s played for Macdonald
• ESPN power ranking reaction: Should Seahawks be higher?
• What Seattle Seahawks OC Grubb’s offense is doing more than others

Follow @CameronVanTil