Seattle Seahawks DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said on Monday that tests on quarterback Geno Smith's right knee came back positive. "Hopefully we'll see him practice throughout the week," Macdonald says. In addition to the team expecting Smith to practice this week, they are optimistic that he will take most of the snaps at practice. Smith was forced from Sunday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers with a knee injury in the third quarter and never returned, but at least as of right now, the Seahawks are expecting him to practice and play in Week 16 versus the Minnesota Vikings. We'll keep a close eye on Smith's status in practices this week, and if he ends up not being ready to play, Sam Howell would be in line for his first start of the year. Howell looked like a deer in headlights in relief, going 5-for-14 for 24 yards and an interception while taking four sacks.

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) went through a good workout on Monday and is feeling good, but his status for the Week 16 contest against the Minnesota Vikings is up in the air, according to head coach Mike Macdonald. "We'll see on Wednesday," Macdonald said. Walker has missed each of the last two games, so he's going to need to get back on the practice field this week for the first time since Dec. 4. We'll have a better idea of his availability for next weekend once the Seahawks begin practicing on Wednesday. If the 24-year-old doesn't make much progress and misses a third straight game, Zach Charbonnet would see lead-back duties yet again and would essentially be a must-start in fantasy lineups after going for 30 carries, 188 yards and three rushing TDs the last two weeks with Walker out. Charb has also caught eight of 11 targets for 71 yards.

During his weekly appearance on Seattle Sports 710AM, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald noted that quarterback Geno Smith (knee) "seemed optimistic" regarding his injury when the two exchanged texts on Monday morning. "He seemed optimistic this morning texting with him, so we've got that going for us," Macdonald said. The head coach also reported that, as of now, there's a possibility Smith could play in Week 16 when Seattle hosts the visiting Minnesota Vikings. The good news is that the 34-year-old has no breaks, and his knee is structurally intact. However, Macdonald was still awaiting test results at the time of his appearance on air. Quarterback Sam Howell filled in for the veteran in the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 and would do so again if Smith weren't healthy enough for the meeting with Minnesota. Expect an update on him shortly.

Per Kole Musgrove of USA Today, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is hopeful that running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) will be able to return for next Sunday's outing against the Minnesota Vikings. The third-year back has been shelved for a few weeks now since injuring his calf and ankle in Week 13's win over the New York Jets. While Walker has recovered from the ankle injury, he is still working through the calf issue. Backfield mate Zach Charbonnet has been effective in the 24-year-old's stead, piling up 259 yards and three touchdowns over the last two weeks. Charbonnet would be in store for a large workload again this weekend if Walker isn't able to suit up for the home tilt against the visiting Vikings, with teammates George Holani and Kenny McIntosh backing him up.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (knee) was forced to exit the Week 15 matchup with the Green Bay Packers with a knee injury and wasn't able to return. Before leaving in the third quarter, he registered 149 and one interception on 15-for-19 throwing with one carry for five yards. According to head coach Mike McDaniel, Smith's knee "appears to be intact structurally." His status for Week 16's game against the Minnesota Vikings is uncertain at this time though. If he's unable to suit up, Sam Howell will likely step in again after he threw 5-for-14, 24 yards, and one interception on Sunday night.