Is Kenneth Walker III Injured or Playing In Week 3? Should I Start Zach Charbonnet For Fantasy Football?

The Seattle Seahawks are 2-0 on the young season and are seeking their eighth 3-0 start in franchise history. 

Their first two games haven’t come without challenges, as their star running back, Kenneth Walker III (oblique), has already suffered an injury, and they have had to rely heavily on their backup, Zach Charbonnet. 

Now, ahead of Week 3, Walker’s status remains uncertain. Read about my analysis on whether or not he will play and what to do with Charbonnet in NFL fantasy football as the ‘Hawks will host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

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Is Kenneth Walker III Playing In Week 3?

Walker is currently dealing with an oblique injury he suffered in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. He was having an exceptional game before exiting, rushing for 103 yards on 20 carries and even scoring a touchdown.

Kenneth Walker really started his jump from in between the 5 & 4 yard line.

This man FLEW into the end zone 🤣 pic.twitter.com/IIuFJE3XM8

— Seattle ON Tap (@SeattleONTap) September 10, 2024

Walker then missed Seattle’s Week 2 game against the New England Patriots. This week, Walker was a non-participant in practice on Wednesday and a very limited participant on Thursday and Friday (warm-ups and running on the sideline). The team has made no official confirmation on whether or not he will play in Week 3; however, he is currently listed as doubtful.

The last time he injured his oblique, he also missed two games, and it looks like that’s slated to happen again.

Should I Start Zach Charbonnet for Fantasy Football Week 3

Charbonnet has put up pretty solid fantasy numbers in Walker's absence. Taking over as the lead back in the second half of Week 1, Charbonnet managed to put up 12.1 fantasy points (PPR). In Week 2 as the Seahawks’ starter, he scored 17.9 fantasy points, which was good enough for the RB8 finish overall. 

ZACH CHARBONNET SEAHAWKS TOUCHDOWN.

14-10 SEAHAWKS. BANG pic.twitter.com/OeXqoZryWp

— Seattle ON Tap (@SeattleONTap) September 15, 2024

It is worth noting that Charbonnet has not been consistent in his actual rushing, as he is only averaging 2.3 yards per carry. Still, he has shown that he can take on the volume of a true RB1 and can help his fantasy totals by tallying up receiving yards and scoring touchdowns. 

Charbonnet is not an elite running back. However, he has value as an RB2 or RB3 option for your fantasy team. Assuming Walker doesn’t play, start him in Week 3 if you have him on your bench, and consider picking him up if you need a week-by-week streamer.

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