The question of is Kenneth Walker III playing against the Carolina Panthers in Week 14 has been hanging over fantasy football managers all week. The rookie running back left last week’s game with a foot/ankle issue and has not practiced all week.
Let’s take a look at the latest updates on Sunday morning and what it means for the fantasy value of the Seattle Seahawks backfield, with the likes of Deejay Dallas, Travis Homer, and Tony Jones Jr. all in contention for touches this week.
Update: Kenneth Walker is inactive for Week 14.
Is Kenneth Walker Playing Today?
Based on the report Saturday night and Sunday morning, it does not seem like Kenneth Walker is going to be able to play against the Panthers. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the running back is considered a long shot to play, barring a surprise. In his report, he also noted that the Seahawks have a short week before playing the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football in Week 15.
This is not surprising, given that Walker has not practiced all week. If anything, it was a surprise that he was even listed as questionable. Players that do not practice during the week tend to either draw a doubtful tag or get ruled out when the final injury reports are released. However, the Seahawks clearly felt there was a chance Walker could recover to face the Panthers.
MORE: Week 14 RB Rankings
It has been interesting to hear how head coach, Pete Carroll, has described this injury this week. Right from Sunday night when it first happened, he refused to refer to the injury as a sprain, instead calling it a strain. When he spoke to the media Friday, Carroll called Walker a game-time decision.
Walker’s injury makes for a very confusing backfield situation in Seattle. When Walker is healthy, he is the unquestioned lead back, with Rashaad Penny already out for the year. An injury to Walker opens up a lot of potential options. Further confusing the picture is the fact that Dallas is also hurt — he’s listed as questionable this week, meaning the Seahawks have had to elevate Godwin Igwebuike from the practice squad.
Fantasy Outlook for Walker, Travis Homer, and Tony Jones
This might not end up being a bad game for Walker to miss. Overall on the season, the Panthers appear to have struggled against opposing RBs for fantasy football purposes. They have allowed an average of 21.79 fantasy points to the position this year. However, a big factor in that was Joe Mixon’s incredible 50-fantasy point performance against them in Week 9.
In recent weeks, the Panthers’ defense has been a lot tougher against opposing backs. In the last four weeks, they have allowed an average of just 11.47 fantasy points to RBs. Of the 26 teams playing in Week 14, that is the third-lowest number in that timeframe. In their last three games, opposing backs have scored 10, 11.6, and 12.8 fantasy points against the Panthers.
MORE: Week 14 Start/Sit Advice
Therefore, this matchup appears to have significant limitations for Walker. Even if he were active, it would be extremely difficult to start him with any confidence in Week 14. The combination of the injury concerns and the matchup would significantly cap his ceiling. The way he has played at times this year always makes it hard to bench Walker, but if he is active this week, it would be the prudent option in this game.
That concern then passes onto the combination of Homer and Jones, who are likely to be the main options with Walker and Dallas absent. Neither is a particularly high-upside fantasy option at the best of times, but especially not with a questionable matchup. Therefore, unless you are desperate because of the NFL bye week situation, this Seahawks backfield might be one to avoid this week.
That also goes for Underdog Fantasy Best Ball drafts today. If you target any of these players, you are really hoping that they find the end zone. Given that those drafts use half-PPR scoring, Homer has a slightly better floor than Jones.
