THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: If Walker runs, the Seahawks can fly

An injury doesn’t just hurt.

It can bury you in questions.

Example:

What exactly is it?

How long will it keep you at home — reading the full works of Hemingway while strapped in a recliner and cuddling your cat?

What activities are still “Go”?

For instance, my back is smashed up like Rice Krispies, which will keep me off the USA curling team during the upcoming Winter Olympics.

I DO have a cane, the ideal weapon for clobbering wise guys on the streets of Milano.

In other words, keep your taunts to yourself during the Games.

Before we even get to the Olympics and the mountains of northern Italy, though, the NFL has three massive games to offer.

Champions must be crowned in both conferences, and then comes the pomp and circumstance of the Super Bowl on Feb. 8.

As you know (and the Vegas money people agree), the Seahawks could very well win the NFC title by surviving a brawl against the Rams — and thus earn a date against New England or Denver in the Big Bowl.

Specifically, we need to talk about Zach Charbonnet.

WHEN WE ramble on about a team with a two-man running attack, we’re mostly exaggerating.

These squads with “two-headed monsters” actually use something like one bona fide stud, with a capable back-up behind him.

Maybe the No. 2 guy is quick enough for special plays that spread the field, or he’s good in third-down situations.

But if you’re describing a team with two running backs — and you’re meaning that they’re basically equal — now THAT is something special.

It’s also why everyone connected with the Seahawks got a little ill last Saturday, when Zach Charbonnet blew out his knee.

If Zach plays football again, it won’t be this year.

The Seahawks thus have a problem.

You don’t want to run Kenneth Walker III until his legs give out.

Having a thousand-yard rusher like Walker is very, very special, particularly in an offense built around the “stretch running game.”

Don’t kid yourself, though.

Walker’s explosions, especially late in games, are aided dramatically by Charbonnet pounding away, punishing opponents to rack up his share of the load.

Wait!

You think I’m spoofing?

You don’t believe they actually share the carries, and they both endure those hits that come at the end of each run?

First, remember something.

The Seahawks drafted Charbonnet (second round, 2023) specifically to pair with Walker (second round, 2022).

The stats don’t lie.

Walker has reeled off 498 carries this season, Charbonnet 490 (and 12 TDs).

The Hawks are seriously committed to the run game and play-action passes that go with it —they’re second in the entire league.

SO, WHAT is the short-term solution for the Seahawks’ problem?

The obvious answer, at least for one game, is giving Walker the rock until he simply collapses.

Duh!

Another simple answer is cutting back on the rushing attack, using run-heavy formations as decoys, and hoping the Rams will bite on some plays designed to fool them.

There are obvious dangers to that strategy.

The Hawks will be calling plays (some, anyway) that are new to the various formation, so the chance of a blow-up and turnover increases.

Beating the Rams won’t be a walk in the park, no matter what, so it’ll get even tougher if Seattle makes some major mistakes.

Ouch!

Peyton Manning once said: “A good thing about the running game is that you start a play with the ball, and unless you make a big mistake, you still have the ball when the play is over.”

Nobody wants to talk about turnovers out loud — given Sam Darnold’s history of errors costing possession — but the truth is that the Seahawks look like the best team left in the battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

They cannot GIVE it away with mistakes.

Just play sound, solid football, beat the Rams (as we know they can) and enjoy the celebration.

The Seahawks now have to win without an important running back.

OK, fine.

Adjust some things, slap the Rams around and have fun — players and fans together.

Then off to the Super Bowl.

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On."