An unusual Wednesday slate of games officially began the penultimate Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season. Nevertheless, typical Thursday Night Football kicks off tonight as the Chicago Bears (losers of nine straight) take on the Seattle Seahawks, who are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive, despite not controlling their own destiny.
But after losing two straight, the need for Kenneth Walker III to return and take over his spot as the starting running back is becoming more paramount. With the playoffs on the line, what is Walker’s status for Week 17?
The Latest on Kenneth Walker III’s Status in Week 17
Walker is officially inactive for the Seahawks’ game against the Bears. A calf and ankle strain kept him out of the lineup for two weeks earlier in the season, and unfortunately, he aggravated the injury in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings. On a short week, he’ll be forced to miss out on tonight’s pivotal Week 17 matchup.
Despite having the worst statistical season of his career so far, the threat of Walker was enough to make a solid Seahawks offense that much more potent. Moreover, it allowed Geno Smith to have a career year passing, as he still remains in the top five of yards per game.
The issues began after Walker’s name showed up on the injury report prior to Seattle’s game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14. Since then, he’s had to miss two games in a row, before a brief return against the Minnesota Vikings this past Sunday.
Now, a non-participant in every one of the Seahawks’ practices, Walker is officially out against Chicago.
Who Will Be Starting in Walker’s Absence?
It will once again be Zach Charbonnet taking over the running back position. When Walker had to miss time earlier in the year, he was spectacular in replacing him. During the game against the Cardinals, in particular, he totaled 193 scrimmage yards and scored two touchdowns.
For the year, Charbonnet isn’t far behind Walker from a statistical perspective. With 453 rushing yards to his name, he’s right around his numbers from last season (462).
With an additional two weeks to go, Charbonnet could be a minor success story for the new-look Seahawks. Unfortunately, all of their contributions could be nil.
With two games remaining, Seattle’s playoff hopes now rest on the Los Angeles Rams. A Rams loss this week is the only way that the final week of the season will be for the division title. So, depending on how Los Angeles at Arizona shakes out, we could know for certain who the NFC West division winner is.