Seattle Seahawks DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that quarterback Brock Purdy will not play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. As a result, Sam Darnold will make his first start of the season in a meaningless game for the Niners, as they are already locked into the top seed in the NFC and will have a first-round bye in the playoffs. In addition to Purdy, the Niners ruled out star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) already after he strained his calf in the Week 17 win over the Washington Commanders. San Francisco could choose to limit other key offensive weapons this weekend, making all Niners players risky in fantasy lineups in Week 18. Darnold will be in play as a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers in leagues that start two QBs.

With the San Francisco 49ers potentially resting starters in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Jordan Mason could see heavier workloads this Sunday. Darnold could get the start so that the team can rest Brock Purdy heading into the postseason while also giving Darnold an opportunity to showcase his stuff before he heads to free agency in 2024. Brandon Allen could also see reps under center. Running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) has already been ruled out, and given Elijah Mitchell's injury history, Mason could be in line for lead-back duties against the Rams, with fellow 2022 rookie Tyrion Davis-Price also seeing a heavier workload. The Niners would have to elevate Davis-Price from their practice squad to the 53-man active roster.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was targeted just twice in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rookie made one reception in the game for a 12-yard touchdown. Smith-Njigba's other target came on a wonderfully timed gimmick play that fell apart. In motion before the play, quarterback Geno Smith flipped Smith-Njigba the ball almost as soon as he took the snap himself but the receiver muffed the exchange. The play initially looked like a fumble recovered by the Steelers but it was ultimately ruled an incomplete forward pass. Smith-Njigba never had the fabled rookie breakout in 2023 but had several outings where he was a worthwhile flex start lending room for optimism about what 2024 will entail. In Week 18, the Seahawks visit the Arizona Cardinals where Smith-Njigba will again be fighting for attention behind veterans DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet had two carries for two rushing yards and caught all five of his targets for 39 receiving yards in Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. His seven touches were the most he has had since Week 14 when he was offering relief to Kenneth Walker III (shoulder) who was still on the mend from an oblique injury. Charbonnet benefitted from similar circumstances in Week 17. Walker was a game-time decision due to a shoulder injury that limited his participation in practice all week. Walker looked effective during the game but reaggravated the injury in the third quarter. By the time he was deemed available to return to play, the Seahawks were playing catch-up necessitating that Charbonnet stay on the field. The rookie could see extra work in Week 18 if Walker's shoulder is still bothering him, and if the Seahawks would rather not risk his health at all then Charbonnet would once again operate as the team's featured back.

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (shoulder) was deemed a game-time decision leading up to Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and ultimately drew the start. In the 30-23 loss, the 23-year-old took 10 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown and added 22 yards on three receptions. Walker's score came on a 13-yard run near the start of the second quarter. Early in the third quarter, Walker broke free for a 24-yard gain but it was wiped out due to a holding penalty incurred by wide receiver DK Metcalf. In the third quarter, Walker reaggravated the shoulder injury that limited him in practice this week and he was removed from the game temporarily. He returned briefly in the fourth quarter but Zach Charbonnet took over once the Seahawks were down two scores with less than five minutes remaining. The Seahawks face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 18, but if they do not want to put Walker at risk of further injury then Charbonnet would have one last go as Seattle's lead back in 2023.