Running back Zach Charbonnet suffered an ACL injury in the win over the San Francisco 49ers, but when one door closes, another opens.
The Seattle Seahawks moved on to the NFC Championship Game after putting away the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field, 41-6.
But the scintilating performance came at a cost.
Running back Zach Charbonnet, who leads the entire Seahawks roster in touchdowns, is now done for the year following an ACL injury.
That leaves, at the time of writing, Kenneth Walker as the only healthy running back Mike Macdonald has on his active roster.
But when one door closes, another opens.
Walker is expected to be the bellcow for offensive coordinator Klink Kubiak against the Los Angeles Rams, but with Kenneth not having 20 carries in a game this season, Seattle will be wary of overusing him - even after he scored three TDs in that playoff win.
That's where Cam Akers, a former starter for the Los Angeles Rams, and fifth-year veteran Velus Jones come into the equation.
Both are on Seattle's practice squad, and that is definitely one lever Macdonald can pull.
And it seems that he might just do it.
"Yeah, well, that's part of the reason we brought them here is just to provide great running back depth,” Macdonald said. “Both are really good players in their own right, and they got a great opportunity in front of them."
A big opportunity, alright.
A spot in the Super Bowl is on the line.
Exactly how much either Jones or Akers plays will be up for debate, but expect Walker to get the lion's share of carries, with either Akers or Jones offering relief.
In an ideal world, it would be Walker and Charbonnet for the third time against the Rams this season, but that's not how football works.
Now, Jones and Akers have a huge chance in front of them, and one that, if they take, could mean that at the end of the season, they'll be Super Bowl champions.
"You hate it to be under these circumstances, but it is what it is," Macdonald added. "We got to move forward, they'll be ready to go.”
The chance of a lifetime has come for the practice squad pair.
Jones has only played in three games for the Seahawks, rushing for 32 yards on four carries, while Akers is a Super Bowl champ with the Rams and is looking to make it No. 2 this season.