Seattle Seahawks DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

According to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, the Seattle Seahawks remain optimistic regarding the status of their top running back, Kenneth Walker III (calf). Walker has sat out the past two games due to a calf injury but could be nearing a return. Head coach Mike Macdonald noted that the team remains "optimistic" when asked if Walker would return to practice this week. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status throughout the week as he may need to participate in numerous practice sessions to have a chance to return on Sunday. While sidelined, Zach Charbonnet has taken full control of the backfield, tallying 188 rushing yards and three scores over the past two games. If Walker can return on Sunday, he should viewed as a solid RB2 despite facing a tough Minnesota defense that has allowed the second-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs.

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (elbow, heel) is expected to practice on Wednesday and will make the start in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons, according to head coach Brian Daboll. Lock injured his left elbow and heel in the Week 14 loss to the New Orleans Saints and was inactive for the Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The 28-year-old was in a walking boot last week but appears to have made enough progress to return to the starting role this weekend. In his two starts in Weeks 13 and 14, Lock was underwhelming, going 42-for-81 for 405 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions and a lost fumble, but he did add 116 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries. While Lock probably gives the Giants offense a little more upside than Tommy DeVito, he's nothing more than a desperation QB2 play for fantasy managers in superflex leagues without any other options.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold completed 24-of-40 passes for 231 yards, one touchdown, and one INT in Monday night's 30-12 win over the Chicago Bears. The Vikings started hot in this one, scoring on their first two possessions to take a quick 10-0 lead against their division rivals. However, they'd slow down from there but essentially controlled the game from start to finish. Darnold was solid, though it likely wasn't the performance fantasy managers who rolled with him were looking for. The 27-year-old's interception came on an early fourth-down heave where he had pressure in his face and was trying to make something out of nothing. Other than that, he played a pretty clean game. It was just his third appearance all season with one or fewer touchdowns, but his ninth in a row with at least 230 passing yards. He and the Vikings will take on the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday during the fantasy semi-finals.

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.

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.