Is Kenneth Walker playing on Sunday? Latest on Seahawks RB for Fantasy Football Week 16
Kenneth Walker has not played for the Seahawks since the beginning of December and has been sorely missed. Seattle lost against Green Bay in Week 15 and one of the reasons was that their running game never got going. They were outgained 140 to 80 yards by the Packers.
Normally, this issue would not be so pronounced since the Seahawks are a pass-heavy offense. But starting quarterback Geno Smith had to leave the game midway and Sam Howell struggled in his relief. With the backup grappling under trying circumstances, a bit of help from the offensive backfield would have been welcome.
That is where Kenneth Walker comes in. Seattle has recorded 1,320 rushing yards in total all season. The running back has accounted for 542 of them despite being injured for three weeks now. His importance cannot be overstated and that is even more pronounced in the red zone. His seven touchdowns have been vital contributions to the Seahawks' fortunes.
Is Kenneth Walker playing today?
Given his importance, Seattle fans will be hoping that Kenneth Walker finally overcomes his calf ailment and returns against the Vikings. Zach Charbonnet was also added to the injury report this week with an oblique issue, severely hampering their rushing options. They both did not practice on Wednesday but featured on Thursday. Walker reported for full practice and Charbonnet was limited.
The good news is that both running backs participated fully in practice on Friday and have no game designation. That indicates that Kenneth Walker will be back in Week 16. Head coach Mike Macdonald also exuded confidence, telling reporters,
“[Kenneth Walker] looked really good. He’s confident, he’s had a good week of practice."
Given his return after a long layoff, he might still share some snaps with Zach Charbonnet. With Geno Smith also declared fit, the Seahawks are as healthy as they can be going into this matchup against the Vikings.
How to watch Seattle Seahawks vs Minnesota Vikings in Week 16?
The Seahawks face the Vikings in Week 16 in the second of a three-game series that sees them take on NFC North teams. After losing to Green Bay last week, they face Minnesota on Sunday before taking on Chicago on Boxing Day.
The defeat against the Packers was deeply damaging for Seattle. They were in control of their playoff destiny before that game but have now slipped back into the second spot in the NFC West. Their 8-6 record is tied with the Rams, but a weaker conference record sees them out of the current postseason ranking.
Los Angeles will play the Jets and the Cardinals in the coming two weeks and both are winnable games. In the meantime, the Seahawks must negotiate the Vikings and the Bears. If they lose one of their games and the Rams win them both, then the final-day matchup between the two NFC West rivals might become moot.
Conversely, Minnesota has its own objectives and will not be in an obliging mood. They are 12-2 and tied atop the NFC with the Eagles and the Lions. They know that a win is vital for them to keep pressure on the chase for that Wild Card bye. It should be a fascinating matchup and you can follow all the action as given in the details below.
- Day & Date: Sunday, December 22, 2024
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- TV channel: FOX
- Location: Seattle, Washington
- Venue: Lumen Field
- Live Stream: FuboTV
By the end of Week 16, we will know whether the Seahawks have stolen a march to win their division or the Vikings have laid down a marker for the rest of the conference.