According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) was placed on the injured reserve. As a result, Walker will miss at least the next four contests, which will keep him out for the remainder of the regular season. In addition, the Seahawks would have to advance to at least the NFC Championship to give Walker an opportunity to return to action. The Michigan State product sustained this injury during last weekend's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Zach Charbonnet to lead the backfield for the foreseeable future. When put in the starting role, Charbonnet has performed very well. During Weeks 14 and 15, Charbonnet averaged a stellar 25.9 PPR points per game. He should be viewed as a top-12 option on Thursday evening when he faces the Chicago Bears. Kenny McIntosh will move up to the No.2 spot and could see a slight increase in opportunities.
Kenneth Walker III Ruled Out For Thursday Night Football
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Chicago Bears. Walker was not able to practice this after injuring his ankle during the Week 16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. With the short turnaround, the Seahawks are deciding to play it safe and rest Walker for Week 17. Zach Charbonnet (elbow) should see the bulk of the carries, while Kenny McIntosh will back him up. Charbonnet has played well in the last two games with Walker was inactive, rushing for 188 yards on 30 attempts and three touchdowns while catching eight of 11 targets for 71 yards. The 23-year-old becomes a must-start against Chicago and a borderline RB1 for fantasy championship week.
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) was not able to suit up for Tuesday's practice session. This marks back-to-back missed practice sessions for Walker after he suffered an ankle injury during last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The fact Walker is still missing practice is not a good sign ahead of Thursday's game against the Chicago Bears. If Walker sits, Zach Charbonnet (elbow) would become the lead back and would be a solid RB2 for fantasy purposes. Fantasy managers will have to check back on Wednesday for another update on his status.
In the team's estimated practice report on Monday, the Seattle Seahawks listed running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) as a non-participant after he injured his ankle in Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. Walker missed the previous two games due to a calf injury but returned last weekend, only to be pulled in the second half with a new injury. The 24-year-old took over lead-back duties immediately against Minnesota over backfield mate Zach Charbonnet (elbow), but it only amounted to eight carries for 31 yards. However, he salvaged his fantasy day with a season-high-tying eight catches for 28 yards. Sunday's game cemented the fact that Walker is still Seattle's preferred backfield option when healthy. The problem is Walker isn't healthy again and faces a short week to get right before a Thursday night game in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. Right now, Charbonnet is the better bet to play on Thursday.
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) was limited to 31 yards on eight carries in Seattle's Week 16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He also brought in an eye-popping eight receptions for 28 yards. Walker left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. He was tackled at the goal line and got his foot caught up in a pile of defenders. Walker was just returning from a calf injury that had sidelined him for two weeks. While not much is known about the injury, Walker was ruled out for the rest of the game relatively quickly. He is slated to undergo imaging on the injured ankle this week. Fantasy managers counting on Walker for championship weekend will need to pay close attention to this injury. If it is a minor ankle sprain, then Walker has a solid matchup in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. If it is more severe, then fantasy managers may once again be looking for a replacement. Be prepared for another Zach Charbonnet game in Week 17. However, with the Seahawks in dire need of a win, Walker could push to play on the bum ankle.
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) is unlikely to return to Sunday's meeting with the Minnesota Vikings. He missed the last two games because of an calf injury and wasn't a lock to play in Week 16. However, Walker was active and has played well, amassing 31 yards off eight carries and catching eight passes for 28 yards before exiting with an ankle injury. Of course, the concern is if he'll be ready to go when the Seahawks play the Bears in Week 17, assuming he doesn't return on Sunday. If Walker isn't out there, Zach Charbonnet would be on tap for more opportunities out of the backfield. UPDATE: Unsurprisingly, Walker will go for further testing on his injured ankle on Monday.
Zach Charbonnet Starting Over Kenneth Walker III Sunday
The Seattle Seahawks plan to announce Zach Charbonnet as their starting running back against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Although Kenneth Walker III is healthy and cleared to play, the first snap of the game will likely belong to Charbonnet. This represents a change in the lineup from earlier in the season, but it's not much of a surprise given how well Charbonnet has played lately. Over the last two weeks, he has 188 rushing yards, eight catches, 71 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. He has averaged 24.1 fantasy points per game (PPR) while filling in for Walker this year. Meanwhile, Walker is averaging 16.7 points per contest. Both players have RB1 upside, but we'd rather start Charbonnet this week given that Seattle may be inclined to ride the hot hand against a stingy Minnesota run defense.
Kenneth Walker III Cleared To Play, Could Take On A Smaller Role
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) has been removed from the final Week 16 injury report on Friday and will be active for Sunday's contest at Lumen Field against the visiting Minnesota Vikings. Meanwhile, backfield mate Zach Charbonnet (oblique) was also cleared, so Seattle will have its top two RBs available this weekend. It's good news for the Seahawks, but bad news for fantasy managers that have one or both of Walker and Charbonnet rostered. Walker missed the last two weeks with his calf injury, which led to Charbonnet accumulating 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries while adding eight catches for 71 yards. For what it's worth, Seattle has since named Charbonnet a captain, meaning that Walker could see more of a reduced role in his return this weekend. Walker has been the clear lead runner when both backs have been healthy this year, but that could change against Minnesota.
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) went from missing practice on Wednesday to practicing in full on Thursday, signaling he could be ready to return from a two-game absence to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Week 16. Meanwhile, Zach Charbonnet, who missed Wednesday with an oblique injury, was limited on Thursday. The way things are currently trending, it could be a worst-case scenario for fantasy managers that have one of or both Walker and Charbonnet rostered. Charbonnet saw 30 carries for 188 yards (6.27 yards per carry) and three touchdowns while adding eight catches for 71 yards the last two weeks with Walker sidelined. If Seattle has both Walker and Charbonnet active against Minnesota, this backfield could easily be split more in half with Walker returning, potentially lowering both RB's fantasy upside in an already bad matchup.
Kenneth Walker III Opens Week 16 With A Missed Practice
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. The 24-year-old has already missed two games in a row, and it now looks like there's a real chance he could miss a third. Losing Walker to an injury hurts by itself, but the Seahawks' backfield could get even more complicated if they are also without Zach Charbonnet (oblique), who didn't practice Wednesday. If Walker sits out Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, Charbonnet will remain the starter and a high-end fantasy RB2. However, if both Walker and Charbonnet end up sidelined, then Kenny McIntosh would be in line for a drastically expanded role out of the backfield. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for additional injury updates on Thursday.
Kenneth Walker III
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Seahawks
