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Seahawks elevate 2 running backs for NFC Championship vs. Rams
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- Seahawks elevate 2 running backs for NFC Championship vs. Rams
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The Seattle Seahawks have promoted a pair of running backs from their practice squad prior to their meeting with the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.
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The Seahawks have activated Cam Akers and Velus Jones following the season-ending ACL injury suffered by Zach Charbonnet in Seattle's 41-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional playoffs. Charbonnet had played a vital role in the Seahawks' backfield, sharing running back duties with No. 1 RB Kenneth Walker .
The ground game is vital for the Seahawks as it has given head coach Mike Macdonald a balanced offense this season. While wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has become the most productive pass catcher in the league this year, the running game has taken quite a bit of pressure off of QB Sam Darnold . The quarterback is in his first year with the Seahawks and he has been a solid fit for Seattle this season.
Walker is the team's leading running back and he finished the season with 1,027 rushing yards, a 4.65 yards per carry average and 5 rushing touchdowns. Charbonnet had 730 rushing yards, a 3.97 average per carry and an eye-catching 12 touchdowns.
Charbonnet is an outstanding short-yardage back who clearly excels in the red zone. Akers is likely to get the call when the Seahawks are inside the red zone.
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Akers played 3 games with the Minnesota Vikings this year before he was released. He had just 5 carries for 19 yards. However, he had 104 carries in 2024 for the Houston Texans and Vikings, and he gained 444 yards and scored 2 rushing touchdowns.
Jones is likely to be used as a punt returner. He had 8 returns for 183 yards with the New Orleans Saints this season.
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