Kenneth Walker III – Syndication Server

Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet among league’s most improved players in 2024

Seattle Seahawks sophomore running back Zach Charbonnet was a useful player for the offense in 2024. With preferred back Kenneth Walker III nursing recurring injuries that limited him to 11 regular-season appearances, Charbonnet often stepped up to the plate. He showcased outstanding second-year growth compared to his rookie season.

Charbonnet had a late-season stretch that saw the former UCLA standout rush for four touchdowns in three weeks. That stint included a career-high 193-yard performance against the Arizona Cardinals. For that reason, Charbonnet was one of the league’s most improved players throughout the latter half of the 2024 campaign.

Pro Football Focus recently recognized him as such.

Zach Charbonnet in 2024:

Grade from Week 1-9: 68.5
Grade from Week 10-18: 79.7

The most improved players over the second half of the season:https://t.co/mF03SWnawy

— PFF SEA Seahawks (@PFF_Seahawks) January 22, 2025

“Zach Charbonnet started six games in 2024, and four of those starts came in the final five weeks of the season,” Thomas Valentine wrote in an article that analyzed second-half risers. “Overall, Charbonnet saw an increase in efficiency, as well as in his grade. The former UCLA Bruin earned 356 rushing yards and four touchdowns from Week 10 onwards, and his 3.54 yards after contact per attempt ranked fifth among all running backs in that stretch.”

Valentine noted that Charbonnet’s average PFF grade increased from 68.5 in Weeks 1-9 to 79.7 in Weeks 10-18. Charbonnet earned 303 offensive snaps during the first half of the 2024 season, and 264 throughout the latter half. He was far more efficient as the campaign progressed forward.

New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will appreciate having both Charbonnet and Walker III at his disposal. Kubiak will be tasked with keeping both ball carriers productive. Improving the run game is his biggest offseason priority.

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3 changes Seahawks must make this offseason to avoid missing playoffs in 2025

The Seattle Seahawks were the only 10-win franchise in the league to miss the postseason in 2024. General manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald aren’t interested in participation medals, however. Together, they’re focused on improving the Seahawks this offseason to ensure a disappointing repeat doesn’t occur in 2025.

The NFC West will be difficult again in 2025. The division-winning Los Angeles Rams just upset the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs, and both the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals should improve. With all that in mind, we’ve identified three must-achieves if the Seahawks are to avoid falling short again.

Field a more balanced offense

The Seahawks’ offense ranked seventh in passing attempts (593) and 29th in rushing attempts (383) in 2024. The lack of a well-balanced offense is partially why Macdonald dismissed offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb this offseason. Seattle needs to be more efficient on offense in 2025.

Run the football effectively

Naturally, the Seahawks were ineffective at running the football. Despite having high-end backs like Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in the fold, the offense finished 28th in rushing yards per game (95.7) and 28th in total ground yards (1,627). The next offensive coordinator must upgrade the Seahawks’ down-to-down rushing efficiency.

Fewer turnovers

Starting quarterback Geno Smith threw the second-most interceptions (15) this past season, trailing just Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins (16) for the league lead. Again, a more well-balanced offense would help Smith (and the entire offense) limit the turnovers in 2025. The Seahawks need to be a protect-the-ball offense next season.

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Seahawks Week 17 inactives: 6 players will not play

Seahawks Week 17 inactives: 6 players will not play vs Bears

The Seattle Seahawks are less than two hours away from kicking off against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. The inactives list for both teams have dropped, and as expected running back Kenneth Walker III will not be competing Walker was added to the injured reserve list on Thursday. Unless the Seahawks somehow find their way to the NFC Championship game, Walker’s 2024 campaign is concluded.

Joining Walker on the sideline will be a few others, such as tight end Brady Russell who has missed several weeks due to his injury. While he is inactive, quarterback Jaren Hall will be listed as an emergency third-string quarterback. Given Geno Smith’s knee injury, having a little extra insurance at the most important position in all of sports isn’t a bad idea.

On the other side of the ball, 12’s should recognize another familiar name. Running back Travis Homer for the Bears is inactive. Homer was originally drafted by the Seahawks in the 6th round of the 2019 NFL draft, and Seattle is where he spent the first four years of his career. After his rookie contract expired, Homer signed a two-year deal with Chicago in 2023.

The full inactives report from both teams can be seen below.

Seahawks Inactives:

CB Nehemiah Pritchett
TE Brady Russell
LB Patrick O’Connell
T Michael Jerrell
WR Cody White
QB Jaren Hall

Bears Inactives:

RB Travis Homer
DB Tarvarius Moore
OL Teven Jenkins
DB Elijah Hicks
LB Noah Sewell
DL Zach Pickens

The Seahawks will get the ball to start the second half. Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 for more live updates, analysis and highlights during the game!

Seahawks place RB Kenneth Walker III on injured reserve

The Seattle Seahawks are going to have to find a way into the playoffs without the help of their starting running back. On Thursday afternoon, the team announced they were placing Kenneth Walker III on injured reserve. Walker was already ruled OUT for the Week 17 game against the Chicago Bears tonight, but this news now means he will miss at least the next four games.

Technically speaking, this does not necessarily end Walker’s 2024 season. Should the Seahawks find a way to win the NFC West, and win two playoff games – which would get them to the NFC Championship – Walker would be eligible to return. Before you roll your eyes, crazier things have happened in this league.

However, this is of course the most unlikeliest of outcomes, and what is guaranteed is the fact they will not have Walker tonight or their Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Should Seattle defeat the Bears and the Cardinals upset the Rams, the regular season finale at SoFi Stadium next week will be to win the division.

To take the place of the injured Walker, the Seahawks signed running back George Holani from the practice squad.

If this is truly the end of the road for Walker this year, and it very well could be, he will finish the season with career-lows in rushing yards (573), rushing attempts (153), rushing touchdowns (7) and games played (11). The sole consolation is he did set a career-best with 46 receptions for 299 receiving yards.

The Seahawks will get the ball to start the second half. Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 for more live updates, analysis and highlights during the game!

Seahawks rule Kenneth Walker III and 2 others OUT vs Bears in Week 17

The Seattle Seahawks will be kicking off tonight against the Chicago Bears under the lights of prime time. Unfortunately, as expected, starting running back Kenneth Walker III will not be suiting up. Walker injured his ankle in the Week 16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and did not return to the game. He then went on to be listed as a non-participant during all of Seattle’s walk-through practices this week.

Sadly, this continues an unfortunate, injury-riddled 2024 for Walker. Thursday will mark his fifth missed game of the season. Joining Walker on the sideline will be tight end Brady Russell and safety K’Von Wallace. All three players have been ruled OUT for Thursday Night Football.

As they have done all week long, the Seahawks did not hold a traditional practice. Instead, they held a walk-through. This injury report is an estimation on if they had ran a practice and what it would look like. The full injury report from Christmas Day’s practice can be seen below.

Did Not Participate:

TE Brady Russell – Foot
RB Kenneth Walker III – Ankle

Full Participation:

T Abe Lucas – Knee/NIR-Rest
LB Ernest Jones IV – Knee/NIR-Rest
DE Leonard Williams – Foot/NIR-Rest
S K’Von Wallace – Ankle
TE Noah Fant – Knee
RB Zach Charbonnet – Elbow
C Olu Oluwatimi – Knee
LB Derick Hall – Shoulder
LB Uchenna Nwosu – Wrist

Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove on Twitter for more live updates, analysis and highlights during the game.

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Seahawks should hand keys to backfield to Zach Charbonnet in Week 17

Seattle Seahawks preferred running back Kenneth Walker III did not practice on Wednesday. It’s worth noting the Seahawks held a walk-through practice, so Walker’s non-participation was an estimation. Either way, the former Michigan State standout appears unlikely to suit up versus the Chicago Bears on a Boxing Day special of Thursday Night Football in Week 17.

The Seahawks should hand the keys to the backfield to Zach Charbonnet, which could be a positive development for the offense.

Walker returned from a two-game absence to play against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. Walker was ineffective before re-injuring his ankle, averaging 3.9 yards per carry (eight for 31). Charbonnet’s impact was also lessened, totaling just 13 yards, including negative-1 rushing yards.

Charbonnet was outstanding in the previous two contests that Walker was sidelined for. Against the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals, the ex UCLA Bruin totaled three touchdowns. In the Arizona game specifically, Charbonnet rushed for a career-high 134 yards. He averaged more than six yards per carry in both outings.

Walker has clearly been nursing a difficult ankle injury. Walker attempted to return versus the Vikings, but the same ailment is now sidelining him again. Charbonnet is currently the healthier, more effective back. Starting Charbonnet against the Bears would be a positive development for Ryan Grubb’s offense.

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Seahawks Week 17 injury report: Ken Walker still not practicing

It is Christmas Eve but the Seattle Seahawks are still hard at work preparing for their Week 17 game against the Chicago Bears. Seattle is in dire need of a win to keep their fading playoff hopes alive. Once again, the Seahawks held a walk-through practice. The injury report is merely an estimation of what the participants list would look like had they held an actual practice.

Running back Kenneth Walker III, who injured his ankle in Week 16 versus the Minnesota Vikings, was listed as a non-participant again. It is not looking likely he will suit up for Thursday Night Football. However, running back Zach Charbonnet was upgraded to a full participant.

The full injury report from Tuesday’s walk-through practice can be seen below.

Did Not Participate:

TE Brady Russell – Foot
RB Kenneth Walker III – Ankle

Limited Participation:

T Abe Lucas – Knee/NIR-Rest
LB Ernest Jones IV – Knee/NIR-Rest
DE Leonard Williams – Foot/NIR-Rest

Full Participation:

S K’Von Wallace – Ankle
TE Noah Fant – Knee
RB Zach Charbonnet – Elbow
C Olu Oluwatimi – Knee
LB Derick Hall – Shoulder
LB Uchenna Nwosu – Wrist

Summing up Kenneth Walker’s injury issues for Seahawks this season

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III returned to the field in Sunday’s Week 16 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. Walker had missed Weeks 14 and 15 due to ongoing calf and ankle injuries. Unfortunately, he exited on Sunday again. Head coach Mike Macdonald later confirmed that he’ll be undergoing imaging tests on his ankle. He’s truly questionable for the Week 17’s short-week Thursday game versus the Chicago Bears.

Kenneth Walker III having tests on injured ankle. https://t.co/1p4XhH8hO1

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 23, 2024

Walker was largely ineffective on the ground against the Vikings before reaggravating his ankle injury. The former Michigan State standout was averaging 3.9 yards per carry, rushing for 31 yards via eight carries. Walker was significantly more impactful as a checkdown option in the passing game, accumulating eight receptions for 28 additional yards.

It’s been a difficult season for Walker. His injury issues began in Week 1. Walker suffered an abdomen injury in Seattle’s debut 2024 contest, causing him to miss the fourth quarter.

There’s a decent chance Zach Charbonnet will be carrying the workload for the Seahawks against the Bears. Charbonnet was barely involved versus the Vikings, rushing for negative one yard via one carry. He added 14 receiving yards as a pass catcher.

The Seahawks are fighting for their postseason lives. It would be outstanding if Walker was available versus the Bears and Los Angeles Rams in Week 18. Unfortunately, RB1 may be sidelined for a third occasion.

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Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald offers injury update to Kenneth Walker III

The Seattle Seahawks suffered a devastating loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, pushing them to the verge of potential elimination. However, a game and playoff positioning weren’t the only things the Seahawks lost at Lumen Field.

During the fourth quarter, running back Kenneth Walker III exited the game with an ankle injury. Walker was listed as DOUBTFUL to return, and ultimately did not set foot on the field again. This was Walker’s first game back after missing the last two in what has become a frustrating and injury-laden season.

After the game, head coach Mike Macdonald was asked about his starting running back’s injury. Macdonald mentioned Walker was going in to get imaging done, and was not sure about the extent of the injury.

Of course, we at Seahawks Wire will be among the first to report on any further updates on his No. 1 ballcarrier.

A ballcarrier who did not get nearly enough touches in this game, I might add. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb yet again abandoned the run in a game he absolutely should have stuck with more. Walker finished the night with only 31 yards on eight rushes. He did have eight receptions for 28 yards, but screen passes and dump off’s can only substitute for actually running the ball for so long.

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Seahawks Week 16 injury report: Ken Walker returns to practice

The Seattle Seahawks have received another bit of good injury news this week. On Wednesday, it was revealed quarterback Geno Smith was a full participant at practice. Smith injured his knee during the Week 15 loss to the Green Bay Packers, but it appears he is on track to start in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Potentially joining him in the backfield is running back Kenneth Walker III, who has missed the last two games with a calf injury. Walker was a non-participant on Wednesday’s practice, but returned for Thursday! While there is still a few days to go before we know for sure if Walker will make his return to play the Vikings, this is certainly an encouraging sign!

The full injury report from Thursday’s practice is below.

Did Not Participate:

TE Brady Russell – Foot
DE Leonard Williams – Foot/NIR-rest
LB Trevis Gipson – Ankle
T Abe Lucas – Knee/NIR-rest
NT Johnathan Hankins – Illness/NIR-rest

Limited Participation:

RB Zach Charbonnet – Oblique
C Olu Oluwatimi – Knee
CB Tre Brown – Hamstring
LB Ernest Jones IV – Knee

Full Participation:

RB Kenneth Walker III – Calf
WR DK Metcalf – Shoulder
G Laken Tomlinson – NIR-Rest
WR Tyler Lockett – NIR-Rest
NT Jarran Reed – NIR-Rest
TE AJ Barner – Shoulder
QB Geno Smith – Knee
S K’Von Wallace – Ankle