Capitalizing on backfield injuries, Emanuel Wilson is flashing unexpected speed and power during first-team reps, forcing Seattle’s coaching staff to reconsider the team’s evolving rushing rotation.
Emanuel Wilson didn't sign with the Seattle Seahawks expecting first-team opportunities to simply fall into his lap.
A couple of weeks into training camp ... they're beginning to arrive.
With first-round rookie Jadarian Price sidelined by lower-body soreness and Zach Charbonnet still working his way back from a torn ACL, Wilson split most of Seattle's first-team running back reps with George Holani during Saturday's Football Fest practice at Lumen Field.
And the 27-year-old believes he offers something a little different.
"I'm bringing something different," Wilson said. "A lot of people think I don't have speed, but I have a lot of speed on my end, and really just bringing a lot of power."
Seattle knew about the latter when it signed Wilson to a one-year deal in March.
The 5-foot-10, 226-pound back spent the previous three seasons with Green Bay, primarily working behind Josh Jacobs during the final two. Wilson received his largest workload in 2025, finishing with 496 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 125 carries.
That experience could prove useful in a Seahawks backfield undergoing quite the transition.
Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III departed for Kansas City in free agency, creating an opening Seattle addressed by selecting Price with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The rookie has been involved with Seattle's first-team offense throughout camp and isn't expected to remain sidelined for long. Mike Macdonald described Price's injury as a "minor issue" Saturday and indicated his return should be a matter of days.
But even a temporary absence creates additional opportunities.
And Wilson is getting them.
Seattle already viewed him as more than an afterthought before Price's injury. Seahawks general manager John Schneider previously highlighted Wilson's combination of size and movement after the team identified him in free agency.
"Our pro staff did a great job evaluating, identifying Emanuel and just saying, 'Hey, here's this 230-pound guy with great feet,'" Schneider said on Seattle Sports 710 AM.
Now ... Wilson has an opportunity to demonstrate exactly what that combination could provide.
The Seahawks will eventually have decisions to make once Price returns and Charbonnet gets healthy. Holani also remains involved after contributing during Seattle's Super Bowl run last season.
Wilson alone doesn't need to solve the entire running back rotation — though Price's brief absence has given him additional snaps alongside Seattle's starters.
What Wilson does with them could help determine how difficult that eventual decision becomes.
