RENTON, Wash. -- Three things were apparent with running back Jadarian Price while watching the Seattle Seahawks' first-round pick during training camp.
One, he has plenty of speed, even if not the same fifth gear as the guy he's replacing (Kenneth Walker III). Two, he's better in the passing game than his limited college production as a pass catcher would suggest. And three, while he will be the Seahawks' RB1, he has plenty of company in their backfield -- especially once Zach Charbonnet returns.
So, much of what we've learned about Price during Seattle's 2-0 start has merely been confirmation of what was already assumed.
After not playing a down in the preseason, the Seahawks limited Price's workload to 24 snaps in Week 1. He gained 58 yards on 12 touches against the New England Patriots. That included a 13-yard run on the first play of his NFL career. In a Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Price played 24 snaps and touched the ball 14 times for 60 yards. That included a 25-yard run that set up their second touchdown, as well as an 11-yard run when the Seahawks went right back to the rookie after he lost a fumble on the previous drive.
"I've thought he's done well," offensive coordinator Brian Fleury said Thursday. "We gave him a little more last week and he showed up, had a couple explosive runs that he was able to break and run through contact. So I'm happy with the development we've seen, and I think it'll just continue to show itself."
Price was sidelined against the Cardinals after hurting his chest/shoulder late in the third quarter. However, he took part in the first two practices of this week as a limited participant and appears to have a good chance of playing Sunday against the Washington Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox).
Through two games, Price leads Seattle's backfield in snaps with 47 and in touches with 26. George Holani has looked like the clear RB2 since the start of the offseason program, and he has out-snapped Emanuel Wilson 38 to 31. But Wilson has 23 touches compared to Holani's 13.
However, that trio is still looking for its first touchdown. Wilson couldn't find the end zone on three consecutive carries from inside the 5-yard line late in the second quarter against Arizona, leading to a turnover on downs. But he came through on the Seahawks' final possession to help close it out.
With Price out and Holani briefly joining him on the sideline, Wilson carried the ball 10 times for 48 yards on a 16-play touchdown drive that took more than 10 minutes off the clock. He finished with 92 yards on 21 attempts after playing just three snaps in the opener.
"It's the things that we saw him do throughout training camp before he had that minor setback," coach Mike Macdonald said of Wilson, who was sidelined for part of the summer with a hamstring injury after signing a one-year deal with Seattle in March. "Glad to see him do his thing. A decisive runner. He gets downhill, not just on the inside run game, it's on the perimeter game, as well. Had a great run on third down where he kept the drive going on the last drive, which is awesome. Lot of great stuff, so we're happy to have him."
Seattle's backfield equation will change once Charbonnet -- a co-starter last season -- returns from last season's ACL tear in his left knee. He will miss at least two more games while on the physically unable to perform list. The Seahawks did not open his 21-day practice window this week, but Macdonald's comments suggested that should happen in the near future.
As for Seattle's available tailbacks, their roles look defined when all are healthy. Price has started both games, and all of his work has come on first or second down. Holani, an excellent pass blocker, has played 18 of the team's 24 third-down snaps. Wilson, listed at 5-foot-10 and 226 pounds, is the power runner.
While Holani is the best receiving threat of the three, Price continues to look plenty capable in that regard. After catching only 15 passes over three seasons at Notre Dame -- and backing up No. 4-overall pick Jeremiyah Love for much of that time -- Price has three receptions for 14 yards on four targets.
His last touch against Arizona was a screen pass late in the third quarter that gained 8 yards. While Price was being tackled, his right shoulder hit the turf hard as former Seahawks defensive lineman L.J. Collier landed on him with all 300 pounds of his body weight. Macdonald said X-rays were negative.
"It's something we'll monitor throughout the week," he said. "Shouldn't be a long-term thing."
Through two games, Fleury's offense has the NFL's highest designed rush rate (52.2%), a metric in which they also led the league last season (47.6%) under Klint Kubiak. After totaling 162 yards on the ground against Arizona, the Seahawks rank ninth in rushing yards per game (129.5) and 14th in yards per carry (4.2).
"I think as an offense, I think we have great opportunity for growth to really just get the one more block," Macdonald said. "We have the right mentality -- I'll tell you that -- on offense. I think the guys want that. It's just, when you watch the tape, there's a hunger there for more explosive runs, which is really cool. We've got a great opportunity in front of us."
