The Seattle Seahawks have won four straight games to the take the lead in the NFC West. Last week, they defeated the Arizona Cardinals without their RB1, Kenneth Walker III, thanks to a big performance from Zach Charbonnet. Will Walker be back in the lineup for tonight’s Sunday Night Football showdown against the Green Bay Packers?
The Latest on Kenneth Walker III’s Status in Week 15
Update: Kenneth Walker is officially inactive for the Seahawks game against the Packers.
Last week, Walker was listed on the injury report as having ankle and calf issues. He wound up not playing, leading to Charbonnet’s best game of his career.
After the game, Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald revealed that Walker’s calf was the real problem. Initially, there was optimism that Walker’s absence would be minimal. However, after undergoing tests, he will be sidelined for another game.
Walker did not practice at all this week and drew a doubtful tag. So far, 0% of players listed as doubtful have played this season. Walker won’t be bucking that trend, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday morning that the Seahawks RB1 will miss tonight’s game against the Packers.
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Who Will Be Starting in Walker’s Absence?
Fantasy managers can once again ask the bartender to pour them the tallest glass of Charbonnet.
Charbonnet looked great last week against a vulnerable Cardinals defense, racking up 193 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on his 29 touches.
This Seattle backfield doesn’t have to be complicated — as long as Walker is sidelined, Charbonnet is a fine RB2. Once Walker is back, neither is going to rank as a top-20 running back.
The team has been committed to Walker as its lead back, but after Charbonnet showed well last week, not to mention Walker’s proven fragility, this could well be a 60/40 committee situation when both are active.
Even when Walker comes back, I’d keep Charbonnet rostered because he is a James Cook rolled ankle away from being a locked-and-loaded RB2. That said, he can be let go by managers who are simply focused on surviving this week — with Cook currently healthy, Davis isn’t close to sniffing starting lineups.