Kenneth Walker exited early on Sunday with what is being called an “unusual” ankle injury. Needless to say, his status for Seattle’s upcoming game against Carolina is very much in doubt, and to make matters worse, there isn’t an obvious fantasy fallback option on the Seahawks roster.
There’s DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer and Tony Jones Jr.. Seattle also signed Wayne Gallman on Tuesday to its practice squad, which probably isn’t a great sign for Walker’s health and availability.
The Action Network’s fantasy football staff discuss this developing situation in the Emerald City in more detail below.
Sean Koerner: Seattle's backfield is impossible to project for Week 14 because Walker, Dallas and Homer are all dealing with injuries. Considering that Walker could end up playing this week — plus the lack of a true handcuff in the event he does miss the game — this is a situation I’m avoiding.
Samantha Previte: The Seattle backfield was assembled with spit and glue after Walker exited with an ankle injury.
Homer was inactive due to an illness and knee injury, leaving the team to lean on Dallas and Jones. Dallas logged 10 carries for 37 yards and Jones recorded seven carries for 14 yards and caught 2-of-4 targets for 18 yards.
Walker's absence may not be an extended one, though it is probably safe to say that his Week 14 availability is in jeopardy.
Homer could be the best option of this trio, assuming he is healthy. He is coming off of a four-touch, 53-yard game against the Raiders in which he scored his first touchdown of the year. This is a developing situation and will hinge on Walker's health.
The Seahawks face the Panthers in Week 14, which should be a favorable matchup for whichever running back Seattle decides to feature.
Mike Triplett: Injuries make this group impossible to decipher right now. Walker hasn’t been ruled out yet as he deals with an ankle strain (not sprain) that head coach Pete Carroll described as “jammed,” “sore,” “aggravated” and an “unusual injury.”
Dallas suffered his own ankle injury after replacing Walker, and fellow backup Homer was inactive with a knee injury and illness that Carroll said will have to be reevaluated this week.
Jones remains a healthy option despite leaving Week 13’s game briefly when he had a contact lens knocked out. It might be worth taking a flier on any one of these three guys in hopes that they emerge as a leading man in Week 14 against Carolina. It’s just too risky to make a real investment in any of them.
