Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III was questionable to play last week against the Arizona Cardinals but was eventually listed as out. Now, in a Week 15 tilt against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, the running back is listed as doubtful, and Zach Charbonnet will get the start for Seattle.
Kenneth Walker III Injury Changes Seattle RB Depth Chart
Walker will be unavailable once again due to calf and ankle injuries, which have not healed as of yet. The big bruiser from Michigan State has seven rushing touchdowns and 524 yards in 10 games this season.
“He has not practiced yet, so we’ve listed him as doubtful,” Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald said. “That’s probably the best way to explain it. Anything can happen between now and the game, but I would say he’s doubtful right now.”
Macdonald did say Walker has made progress with the injury and should be close to returning.
Zach Charbonnet, who filled in for Walker three times this season, did well against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14, having rushed for 134 yards on 22 carries, with two touchdowns on the ground. Charbonnet also caught all seven passes thrown his way for an additional 59 yards.
With Charbonnet having such fortune in spelling Walker during the latter’s injury, the Seahawks might opt to keep Walker out of the lineup Sunday night and allow the former to continue to carry the lead.
Charbonnet is ready to go again Sunday night in what will be his second straight start. He will fill in for Walker once again on national television against the Packers.
Green Bay has surrendered 11 rushing touchdowns so far this season. However, Charbonnet is also a threat out of the backfield, as he caught 17 balls in place of Walker during this three-game stint.
“Keep building, keep running it tough, taking care of the rock, finishing runs,” Macdonald said. “Doing what he does, catching the ball out of the backfield, he’s doing a great job in protection; he’s done that the whole season.”
The Seahawks also have Kenny McIntosh on the roster. Last week against Arizona, he gained 38 yards on seven carries last week against Arizona.
Seattle also has the luxury of having George Holani to provide further depth. Holani was elevated from the practice squad for the second straight game to provide depth. He can be added to the roster one more time before a permanent move has to be made, or he finishes the season on the practice squad or gets released.
“Kenny Mac and George as well,” Macdonald said. “If George is in there instead of Ken.”
Holani is an undrafted free agent out of Boise State who was spectacular in the preseason. However, he was also injured for a good portion of the season. He injured his ankle during Week 2 against New England while making a special teams play.
The Seahawks game with the Packers kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday night from Lumen Field in Seattle.
