The Seattle Seahawks got some good news on their injury report yesterday for their backfield. For a minute it looked like both of their top two running backs might have to sit out this week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, as both Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet were listed as non-participants for the team’s first official injury report of Week 16.
The good news is that both Walker and Charbonnet were upgraded on yesterday’s report. Walker has missed the last two games with a calf injury, but he was listed as a full participant for Thursday’s practice. Meanwhile, Charbonnet was upgraded to limited. That means both are on pace to play on Sunday against Minnesota.
Assuming both are healthy, the most likely scenario is that Walker will return to his starting role and Charbonnet will go back to a number two RB role. However, the Seahawks may want to reconsider that arrangement given the way things have gone in the second half of the season.
Walker has had a hard time getting anything going since the Week 8 win over the Atlanta Falcons, when he averaged almost five yards per carry. Since then Walker has only scored one touchdown and hasn’t averaged more than 3.9 per attempt in any one game. Walker shouldn’t get the blame, as he’s had to deal with poor run blocking more often than not.
Meanwhile, Charbonnet has been hot over the last two games, totaling 188 yards on 30 carries and scoring three touchdowns. To be fair, Charbonnet had some better run blocking over the last two weeks than Walker was getting during his dry streak. Still, head coach Mike Macdonald has to at least consider sticking with the hot hand.
No matter what they decide, the Seahawks need all the help they can get against a lethal Vikings defense. Heading into Week 16 Minnnesota ranks second in scoring defense and second in fewest rushing yards per game allowed.
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