Can Zach Charbonnet carry load for Seahawks if Kenneth Walker misses Week 2?

Seattle Seahawks starting running back Kenneth Walker III missed his second consecutive practice on Thursday. Walker is day-to-day, per head coach Mike Macdonald, with an oblique injury. His participation for Sunday’s Week 2 game versus the New England Patriots is in legitimate doubt.

If Walker is ruled inactive, Zach Charbonnet would receive the start in Seattle’s backfield. Kenny McIntosh would be elevated to No. 2 duties. Charbonnet is capable of carrying a heavier workload. In two starts for Walker last year, he totaled 157 yards and a TD on 38 touches.

Admittedly, Charbonnet struggled to run the football efficiently in the Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos. The former UCLA standout rushed for just 12 yards via eight carries, averaging an ineffective 1.5 yards per carry en route to a Pro Football Focus rushing grade of 48.0. Charbonnet did make a big-time impact in the second half via a 30-yard receiving touchdown.

Walker was electric on the ground versus the Broncos, rushing for 103 yards and a TD via 20 carries. Occasions like this are exactly what the Seahawks drafted Charbonnet with a second-round pick for despite already having Walker. Charbonnet needs to take on larger responsibility when given the opportunity.

The Patriots defense qualifies as a difficult matchup. They allowed a third-best 70.0 rushing yards in a surprising Week 1 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Pay close attention to Walker’s practice participation on Friday. It could indicate whether Charbonnet is getting the first-team nod or not.