The Seattle Seahawks’ running back room has been a revolving door of injuries and “almosts” this week. But after a high-profile signing fell through at the finish line, the front office quickly pivoted to inject some young, explosive talent into the backfield.
On Tuesday, the Seahawks officially signed undrafted rookie running back Robert Henry Jr. off the Washington Commanders’ practice squad to their 53-man roster. The move comes after a frantic 24 hours that saw veteran Joe Mixon work out for the team, only to leave Seattle without a contract.
Here is a full breakdown of how we got here, who the newest Seahawk is, and what it means for Seattle’s offense moving forward.
The Joe Mixon Deal That Wasn’t
With rookie running back Jadarian Price heading to injured reserve and Zach Charbonnet still working his way back from February ACL surgery, Seattle’s running back depth looked dangerously thin.
Enter Joe Mixon. The veteran back joined the team for a workout Monday morning, signaling that the Seahawks wanted an experienced band-aid to stabilize the ground game. However, after the physical on Monday afternoon, reports surfaced that the two sides couldn’t get a deal across the finish line.
Rather than dwell on the missed opportunity with the veteran, general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald immediately turned their attention to a young preseason standout waiting in the wings.
Who is Robert Henry Jr.?
If you didn’t catch much UTSA football last year or tune in to the Commanders’ preseason games, you might be asking who Seattle just added to its 53-man roster.
Henry is an undrafted rookie out of UTSA who put together an incredibly productive final collegiate campaign. In 2025, he rushed for 1,045 yards and nine touchdowns in just 11 games. His 6.9 yards per carry tied for eighth in the entire FBS.
To see how he holds up against top-tier competition, look no further than his 2025 season opener against SEC powerhouse Texas A&M, where Henry carved up the Aggies’ defense for 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
After going undrafted, Henry signed with the Washington Commanders and quickly became a preseason favorite. He made the most of his August opportunities, rushing for 105 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Despite the strong showing, he fell victim to the final roster cutdowns and was stashed on Washington’s practice squad—until the Seahawks came calling.
Commanders Fans Left Scratching Their Heads
While Seattle is celebrating the acquisition, Washington’s decision to leave Henry exposed on the practice squad hasn’t gone over well in the nation’s capital.
Through the first four weeks of the season, the Commanders’ rushing attack has looked completely anemic, struggling to find any consistent rhythm, break tackles, or generate explosive plays. Fans who watched Henry flash during the preseason—displaying excellent vision, tough inside running, and a downhill burst—are understandably frustrated.
Almost immediately following the news of Seattle poaching Henry, Washington sports radio and social media were ablaze. The Commanders faithful are loudly questioning why the front office let an NFC rival steal a promising young back instead of elevating him to their active roster to provide a desperately needed spark to their stagnant ground game.
Shuffling the Roster
To make room for Henry on the active 53-man roster, the Seahawks waived safety AJ Finley.
The team wasn’t done tweaking the running back room, either. Seattle also announced that practice squad running back Jacardia Wright (who is dealing with health issues) has been placed on practice squad injured reserve. To fill his spot, the Seahawks signed running back Dontae McMillan—a local prospect and graduate of Chief Sealth High School in Seattle—to the practice squad.
What It Means for the Seahawks Backfield
With Price out and Charbonnet still at least a week away from returning to game action, the Seahawks are operating with a patchwork backfield. Henry joins a room that currently features:
- Emanuel Wilson: The current lead back, who has rushed for 190 yards and a touchdown on 53 carries so far this season.
- George Holani: The primary backup, boasting 70 yards on 22 carries.
- Velus Jones Jr.: Currently on the roster but playing almost exclusively on special teams.
While Wilson has been a workhorse, averaging just under 3.6 yards per carry, the offense desperately needs a boost and some fresh legs. Henry brings a physical, downhill running style, combined with the breakaway speed that helped him average nearly 7 yards a pop in college.
While he might not have the name recognition of Joe Mixon, Robert Henry Jr. is a hungry rookie with something to prove. Undrafted running backs have a long history of thriving in Seattle—and with plenty of touches available, it will be fascinating to see how Macdonald utilizes the newest weapon in the Seahawks’ backfield.
