Kenneth Walker III DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice but was downgraded to limited on Thursday. Walker suffered an oblique injury in the season opener and then did not play in Weeks 2 and 3 before returning for the Monday night matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 4. The 23-year-old returned with a bang in the loss on Monday, touching the ball 16 times for 116 scrimmage yards and three rushing touchdowns. The Seahawks are likely just giving Walker a little extra rest on Thursday, but we'll have a better idea about his status on Friday. As long as Walker is active on Sunday, he should be considered a must-start in fantasy lineups. Through only two games played so far in 2024, Walker has averaged a career-best 5.7 yards per carry and has scored four times on the ground for Seattle.

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III had a massive Week 4 upon his return from an oblique injury. Walker rushed for 80 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. The starting role was firmly in Walker's hands as he out-touched running back Zach Charbonnet 16 to seven. Walker looked awesome evading Lions defenders and ripping off chunk plays. He accounted for three of the Seahawks' four touchdowns and kept them in the game until the end. When Walker has played this season, he has looked the best that he has looked possibly in his entire career. He remains firmly in the RB1 conversation when the Seahawks take on the New York Giants in Week 5.

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) has been removed from this week's injury report and is set to play on Monday night against the Detroit Lions. This will mark his return after missing the last two games due to an oblique injury he sustained late in his 103-yard rushing performance in Seattle's season opener against Denver on Sept. 8. Walker practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday, indicating he was on track to return. With his comeback, Zach Charbonnet is expected to take on the backup running back role. Walker faces a formidable Lions defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards this season. Nevertheless, he remains a must-start option, even after his injury and in a challenging matchup.

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) put in a second straight day with a limited practice on Friday. Walker has missed the last two games with an oblique injury but has an extra day of rest this week heading into a Week 4 contest on Monday Night Football versus the Detroit Lions on the road. As things stand now, the 23-year-old appears to be on track to return, barring a setback, but he could also go down as questionable on the team's final injury report on Saturday. A questionable tag would make Walker a difficult fantasy decision with his game being on Monday night, unless managers have backfield mate Zach Charbonnet handcuffed to him. Walker is Seattle's clear lead back when healthy. Charbonnet is a plug-and-play option in fantasy without Walker. In the last two games that Walker missed, Charbonnet had a total of 32 carries for 129 yards and three touchdowns while adding eight receptions for 47 yards. Check back Saturday for Walker's official Week 4 designation.

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) was on the practice field on Thursday in the period of practice open to the media. Walker has missed the last two games due to an oblique injury that he suffered in the season-opening win over the Denver Broncos. His return to practice on Thursday, though, gives him a chance to return for Monday night's meeting against the Detroit Lions on the road. The hard part for fantasy managers is that the game is on Monday night, so difficult decisions might have to be made if Walker is questionable to play. In the last two games with Walker sidelined, Zach Charbonnet has 32 carries for 129 yards rushing and three touchdowns, adding eight receptions for an additional 47 yards through the air. Walker's return on Monday would obviously be bad news for Charb's fantasy value in Week 4.UPDATE: Walker was limited in practice on Thursday.