Zach

Charbonnet

Functioning as Seattle’s lead back with Ken Walker (calf) sidelined, Charbonnet shredded the Arizona defense from start to finish. He broke tackles and proved elusive throughout, including on a 51-yard sprint to the end zone in which he displayed impressive breakaway speed. Averaging over 6 yards per carry and proving efficient as a pass catcher, Charbonnet served as the centerpiece of an uncharacteristically run-first Seahawks offense in a critical win against the division foe Cardinals. If Walker is able to return next week against the Packers, Charbonnet will return to deep-league-only status.

Battling an ankle and calf issue, Walker will miss at least one game, though he could return for Week 15 against Green bay. Zach Charbonnet will take over as the team’s lead back and could see 20-plus touches, including valuable goal line work. he should be considered a top-15 fantasy option against a middling Arizona run defense.

Walker was listed as questionable on Friday but the team ruled him out over the weekend. Per Schefter, Walker didn’t suffer any setbacks. Walker was limited in Wednesday’s practice before being downgraded to a DNP for the following two sessions. For now, he should be considered questionable at best for Week 15. Zach Charbonnet will be a high-end RB2 until Walker returns.

Walker was limited in Wednesday’s practice with the pair of injuries and then got downgraded to a DNP on Thursday and Friday. Walker is truly questionable for Week 14. Coach Mike Macdonald said as much after practice, telling reporters he did not know if Walker would be able to play on Sunday. If KWIII can’t suit up, Zach Charbonnet will see the bulk of the backfield opportunities. He would be a touch-based RB2 with Walker sidelined.

In theory it’s concerning, though the Seahawks do not follow the same injury report rhythms as other teams. They are both new issues for Walker, however, so it’s possible he didn’t feel right Thursday after getting in a “limited” session on Wednesday. For now, he should be considered genuinely questionable for Sunday’s Cardinals rematch. We will hopefully get some clarity — or perhaps an injury report removal — on Friday. Zach Charbonnet is a must add insurance back if he’s been cut loose in the leagues where you roster Walker.

Both injuries are new issues for Walker, which could explain his inefficient play in Week 13. While his limited participation early in the week is promising, this is a situation to monitor closely, particularly the calf component. Backup RB Zach Charbonnet (elbow) practiced in full on Wednesday.

Charbonnet got out-touched 18-6 by Ken Walker, but it was only Charbonnet who found the end zone. It happened after both Charbonnet and Walker got stood up from the one-yard line on an ultimately fruitless third quarter Seahawks drive. Charbonnet then punched it in from the eight in the fourth. Charbonnet is mixing in for some important snaps, but he is still lagging far behind Walker from an overall workload perspective. There’s no reason to expect that to change for Week 14 against the Cardinals.

Charbonnet continues to operate as the low-volume backup to Kenneth Walker. He finished the day with six carries, not seeing a target in the passing game. Most notably, Charbonnet got two carries inside the five-yard line over Walker, though he could not punch either touch in for the score. Charbonnet remains a high-value handcuff heading into Week 13.

The Seahawks are willing to use Charbonnet in high-value situations but his workloads are insufficient for a standalone role. Charbonnet led Seahawks running backs with nine third-down snaps and was even given the ball on a late four-and-one play, in which his blocker failed to give Charbonnet the necessary protection for him to convert. Charbonnet is a bench stash at this time.

Charbonnet broke off a 24-yard reception for his only explosive play of the day. He hasn’t touched the ball more than eight times in a game since Week 3. That, of course, was the last game Kenneth Walker missed because of an oblique injury. Charbonnet is purely a backup at this point. With Seattle on bye next week, fantasy managers can send him to the waiver wire on Tuesday.