Is Kenneth Walker Injured or Playing In Week 12? Should I Start Zach Charbonnet For Fantasy Football?

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker had a fantastic rookie season, rushing for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns. Still, the Seahawks decided to draft UCLA's Zach Charbonnet in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. This was disappointing for fans of both players.

However, Walker is banged up heading into Week 12, and Charbonnet has seen his workload uptick over the last few weeks.

Is Walker playing against the 49ers? Should you start Charbonnet? Let's dive in.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Is Kenneth Walker Playing In Week 12?

The Seattle Seahawks have officially listed running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) as doubtful to play on Thursday night in Week 12 against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers.

Fantasy managers shouldn't be blind-sided by this one, as the Seahawks expected Walker to miss some time after straining his oblique in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He won't have extra time to heal for a Week 13 Thursday night matchup against the Dallas Cowboys either, so Walker could wind up missing time beyond this week.

Should I Start Zach Charbonnet for Fantasy Football Week 12

Charbonnet has seen at least five targets in each of his last two games. The rookie was a solid receiver in college, posting 61 receptions in his final two seasons. Now that is he likely to earn his first start and handle a full workload, he has plenty of PPR upside on Thanksgiving.

Although the 49ers have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs this season, they have also allowed the seventh-most receptions per game to running backs (5.4). With Geno Smith (shoulder) potentially limited by a shoulder injury, he might look to check it down to Charbonnet early and often.

If you drafted Charbonnet in the late rounds, now is the time to start him. Seattle's overall upside on offense could be limited against a fierce 49ers' stop unit, but the 22-year-old can produce with pure receiving volume. He's a riskier play in standard leagues.

More Fantasy Football Analysis