Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price has gone from sitting out the preseason opener to making plays against the Tennessee Titans in less than a week.
And quarterback Sam Darnold likes what he is seeing.
Price, Seattle’s No. 32 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, delivered one of his most encouraging practices since returning from lower-body soreness during Friday’s joint session with Tennessee. Price made an over-the-shoulder catch for a big gain in seven-on-seven work, broke a run from between the tackles to the outside in 11-on-11 drills and recorded multiple receptions, according to Ari Horton and John Boyle of Seahawks.com.
Darnold came away with a strong assessment of the rookie.
“He’s a special player,” Darnold said, later adding that Price can contribute as a receiver and as a runner both inside and outside.
That versatility is particularly important for a Seahawks team still sorting out its running-back picture ahead of the regular season.
Jadarian Price Showing Seahawks More in Passing Game
Price entered the NFL with considerably more college production as a runner than as a receiver.
During his final season at Notre Dame, Price rushed 113 times for 674 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. He caught six passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns and also scored twice as a kickoff returner, according to the Seahawks.
Seattle nevertheless began testing how much more Price could offer in the passing game almost immediately.
Macdonald noted early in training camp that Price was catching plenty of passes and that the Seahawks were finding multiple ways to use him out of the backfield. The coach also praised Price’s early work in pass protection, an important part of earning regular snaps for a rookie running back.
Friday provided another indication that Seattle may be able to ask Price to do more than take handoffs.
Darnold praised the entire running-back group for its ability to line up in different spots and contribute as receivers. Price was one of the players providing evidence of that versatility against Tennessee.
For Seattle, that matters because a back who can run, protect and contribute in the passing game is much easier to leave on the field without giving the defense clues about what is coming.
Price Has Worked Back From Preseason-Opening Absence
The encouraging performance also continued a relatively quick turnaround from the issue that cost Price his first opportunity for preseason game action.
Price missed multiple practices earlier in August with what Macdonald initially characterized as lower-body soreness. Macdonald described the problem as minor on Aug. 8 and said at the time that Price should return in a matter of days.
The Seahawks ultimately held Price out of their 17-7 preseason-opening loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 15.
Two days later, Price was back in uniform at practice. Macdonald said Price was following his return-to-play plan and called it good to have the rookie back on the field.
By Friday in Nashville, the progression had gone another step.
Seahawks.com reported that Price had been back on the field throughout the week before producing multiple notable plays against the Titans.
The next question is whether that progress leads to his first preseason game action.
Seattle faces Tennessee at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 5 p.m. Pacific. The Seahawks have not announced that Price will play, and Macdonald had not disclosed as of Saturday whether Seattle’s starters would see game action.
Seattle’s starters already received a substantial workload in Friday’s joint practice. Macdonald estimated that the controlled session gave some players roughly 40 to 50 physical reps, compared with perhaps 20 in a preseason game.
That makes Price’s status worth monitoring rather than assuming.
Whether his preseason debut comes Sunday or later, however, his week in Tennessee offered Seattle something more important than an injury update.
Price is back doing football work, and he is beginning to show why the Seahawks believed a running back was worth the final pick of the first round.
Sam Darnold Sends Strong Message on Seahawks RB Jadarian Price Before Titans Game