The Seattle Seahawks have made bold moves in their backfield over the last couple of years, investing heavily in talented running backs. Their strategy began with a 2nd-round pick on Kenneth Walker in 2022, and they followed that up by selecting Zach Charbonnet in the same round during the 2023 draft. These decisions have proven fruitful, as both players have showcased their skills on the field.
Seahawks RB depth chart
| RB | Player |
| 1 | Kenneth Walker* |
| 2 | Zach Charbonnet |
| 3 | Kenny McIntosh |
* — Unlikely to play due to calf injury
1. Kenneth Walker
Kenneth Walker has been the heartbeat of the Seahawks’ rushing attack this season. Leading the team in carries and rushing yards, he has also made a name for himself in the passing game, setting career highs in receptions and receiving yards despite playing in just 10 games. However, Walker’s offensive contributions will be on hold as he is not expected to take the field in Week 15 due to a calf injury. This unfortunate setback means he might have to wait until Week 16 to continue making an impact.
2. Zach Charbonnet
On the other hand, Zach Charbonnet has been waiting in the wings, primarily serving as a complementary back to Walker. However, with Walker sidelined, Charbonnet is poised to shine. He had the best game of his career last week, rushing for an impressive 134 yards in just his fifth career start. This performance has set the stage for him to take the lead in the backfield as the Seahawks prepare for a crucial Week 15 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. If Charbonnet can deliver another strong showing, we might see this backfield transition into a full-blown committee for the remainder of the season.
3. Kenny McIntosh
While Charbonnet is set to take center stage, Kenny McIntosh is likely to be an afterthought in this game. With Charbonnet expected to carry the load, McIntosh may only see limited action, coming in to spell Charbonnet here and there. His role will be minimal, and he won’t have much of an impact on the offense.
Why isn’t Kenneth Walker playing on Sunday Night Football? Seattle running back’s injury explained
Kenneth Walker has been nursing a calf injury that has kept him off the field recently. He missed Week 14 and, unfortunately, it looks like he will be unavailable once again this week. After failing to participate in any of the Seahawks’ three practice sessions this week, Walker has been listed as “doubtful” for Sunday’s game against the Packers. Players who receive a “doubtful” designation rarely overcome it, making it unlikely that Walker will take the field.
This situation raises questions for fantasy managers. Will Walker be able to bounce back in time for Week 16? Ideally, he will be ready to suit up as Seattle aims to secure their position in the NFC West.
Fantasy football outlook for Zach Charbonnet
With Walker out, Charbonnet’s fantasy value skyrockets. He has been heavily utilized in the games that Walker has missed this season. In fact, in three games without Walker, Charbonnet has played an astounding 87 percent of snaps while averaging 23 touches per game. This level of usage is not just good; it’s elite.
Given this volume, Charbonnet is shaping up to be a solid RB2 option for fantasy managers. The Packers present a middle-of-the-road matchup for running backs, meaning Charbonnet won’t see a significant boost or drop based on the opponent. In the Sporting News’ RB rankings, he comes in as the RB20, making him a must-start in fantasy lineups this week.
The impact of Charbonnet’s performance
As the Seahawks gear up for their matchup against the Packers, all eyes will be on Charbonnet. Can he replicate his recent success and take full advantage of the opportunity presented by Walker’s absence? If he can continue to perform at a high level, we might see a shift in how the Seahawks utilize their backfield for the remainder of the season.
The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable. With the playoffs on the horizon, every yard and every touchdown counts. Fantasy managers should be ready to capitalize on Charbonnet’s potential as he steps into the spotlight, while Walker’s recovery will be closely monitored in the weeks to come.
The Seahawks’ backfield is a fascinating story to follow as the season progresses, and with Charbonnet ready to take the reins, fans and fantasy players alike are in for a thrilling ride. Will he seize the moment and solidify his role as a key player in Seattle’s offense? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the Seahawks are ready to make some noise in the NFL.
