Is Kenneth Walker III healthy or injured? Fantasy Football Injury Update

Kenneth Walker III saved the Seattle Seahawks’ season, especially down the stretch when quarterback Geno Smith started turning the ball over like Mark Sanchez. Walker rushed for 100 yards in three consecutive contests to end the year and is the focus of the offense heading into Seattle’s Wild Card week tilt against division rival San Francisco.

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Not all is Starbucks and grunge rock for Seattle’s top tailback, though. Walker has been battling an ankle injury for over a month now. While he has looked his old self during the past couple Sundays, he was still listed on the injury report and was receiving rest throughout the week leading up to games.

So will Walker be ready to go on Saturday afternoon, and if so will he be 100-percent healthy? Here is the latest on Walker and his cranky ankle:

Is Kenneth Walker III Healthy or Injured?

Looks like Walker is ready to run. His name did not appear on the NFL injury report Friday afternoon. Seattle did not force him to practice on Wednesday and he was listed as a limited participant on Thursday, but that has been the status quo the past few weeks while Walker has been hobbling. This should not be a source of concern for fantasy managers who have Walker in their playoff leagues. Seattle is managing Walker’s workload so he does not aggravate his ankle injury any further.

There has been zero talk about Walker possibly missing the playoff game against the 49ers. Unless something changes between now and kickoff, Walker should be on the field and doing everything in his power to avoid the 49ers ferocious front seven. He has struggled against San Francisco this season, rushing 16 times for only 57 yards, although he added six catches for 37 yards. Walker failed to reach the end zone in either game against the Niners as well.

Walker might be in line for more time and touches because backup back DeeJay Dallas, who has been highly effective in his role in recent weeks, is listed as questionable with his own injuries. Extra carries and catches would make Walker even more of a fantasy favorite this weekend. If you want to pass on Walker because of the staunch defense he is facing, that’s fine. Just do not pass on him because of his health, because he appears to be all systems go.

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