Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III (calf) inactive Sunday night against Packers
Seattle’s rushing attack takes a hit as Walker misses crucial NFC West matchup
The Seattle Seahawks will be without their leading rusher, Kenneth Walker III, on Sunday night when they host the Green Bay Packers at Lumen Field. Walker, who has been dealing with a calf injury, was officially ruled out for the game on Saturday.
Walker’s absence is a significant blow to the Seahawks’ offense. The rookie running back has been a key contributor to the team’s success this season, rushing for 630 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. He is also a threat in the passing game, with 17 receptions for 120 yards.
Without Walker, the Seahawks will likely turn to Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas to carry the load at running back. Homer has been a capable fill-in for Walker in the past, but he is not as explosive or dynamic of a runner. Dallas, meanwhile, has been mostly used as a special teams player this season.
The Seahawks will also be without wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who is out with a broken finger. Lockett is Seattle’s leading receiver this season, with 78 receptions for 964 yards and eight touchdowns.
The injuries to Walker and Lockett come at a crucial time for the Seahawks, who are 7-5 and in the thick of the NFC West race. Seattle is currently tied with the San Francisco 49ers for first place in the division, and a win on Sunday night would give them a significant leg up in the race for the division title.
Despite the injuries, the Seahawks remain confident in their ability to beat the Packers. Quarterback Geno Smith has been playing at a high level this season, and the defense has been one of the best in the NFL.
“We’re not going to make any excuses,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “We’re going to go out there and play our game. We know it’s going to be a tough challenge, but we’re confident that we can get the job done.”
Injury Report
Here is the complete injury report for the Seahawks and Packers:
Seahawks
- RB Kenneth Walker III (calf) – OUT
- WR Tyler Lockett (finger) – OUT
- CB Sidney Jones IV (ankle) – QUESTIONABLE
- S Ryan Neal (ankle) – QUESTIONABLE
Packers
- WR Christian Watson (hamstring) – QUESTIONABLE
- CB Keisean Nixon (groin) – QUESTIONABLE
Outlook
The Seahawks are 3-point favorites at home against the Packers. Seattle has won four of its last five games, while Green Bay has lost three of its last four.
The Packers will be without several key players on offense, including wide receiver Christian Watson and tight end Robert Tonyan. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will also be playing with a broken thumb.
Despite the injuries, the Packers are still a dangerous team. Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and he has a lot of weapons to work with, including wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.
The Seahawks will need to play their best game of the season to beat the Packers. Seattle’s defense will need to put pressure on Rodgers and force him into mistakes. The offense will need to be efficient and take advantage of its opportunities.
The game is expected to be a close one, and it could have a major impact on the NFC West race.