The Seahawks still haven't lost a game under first-year coach Mike Macdonald, but it will likely have to be all hands on deck to make it 4-0 on Monday night in Detroit.
The Lions' defense has shown significant improvement from last season, and a Seahawks offense that has been hit-or-miss through three weeks is almost certainly going to need a more consistent effort to leave Ford Field with a win.
The key could be Kenneth Walker III. Walker was excellent in Seattle's Week 1 win over the Broncos, rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown, but he missed the Seahawks' next two games with an oblique injury.
Here's what you need to know about Walker's Week 4 status as the Seahawks get ready to play in prime-time.
WEEK 4 FANTASY RANKINGS
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Is Kenneth Walker III playing this week?
Walker is "good to go" for Week 4, Macdonald said Saturday. He had been listed as questionable throughout the week.
"He's looked good. He's ready to go."
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 28, 2024
Coach Macdonald on Kenneth Walker III. pic.twitter.com/wfKzHPT0kr
Walker was quickly ruled out for Week 2 and couldn't get himself off the injury report ahead of Week 3, but Week 4 always looked like a realistic target after an oblique injury that wasn't believed to be a long-term issue.
Many speculated that new Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb would adopt a pass-heavy offense this season, but he showed in Week 1 that Walker will be heavily featured as long as he's healthy. Walker earned 20 carries in the win, and he looked comfortable in the offense before going down with the injury.
Walker's return should send Zach Charbonnet back to a more complementary role and take some pressure away from the Geno Smith-led passing game as Seattle chases a 4-0 start.
Seahawks RB depth chart: Who is Kenneth Walker III's backup?
| RB | Player |
| 1 | Kenneth Walker III |
| 2 | Zach Charbonnet |
| 3 | Kenny McIntosh |
Walker is set to return against the Lions, so Charbonnet is expected to settle back into a change-of-pace role after a pair of starts. The UCLA product struggled in Week 2 but was more efficient in Week 3, rushing for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
McIntosh, who earned three carries in Week 3, will likely have a hard time seeing touches with Walker back in the fold.
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Kenneth Walker III fantasy outlook Week 4
Walker appears to be close to 100%, considering he took an extra week to return and Macdonald confidently declared him ready to play ahead of Sunday. As long as that's true, expect Walker to be heavily featured.
The Seahawks gave Walker 20 carries in Week 1, and they put their trust in Charbonnet last week even after he struggled in Week 2. The calculus could change if Seattle falls into a major hole against the Lions, which isn't impossible, but it's clear the running game is a major part of Grubb's offense right now.
The Lions' run defense has been stout through three weeks, allowing only 3.6 yards per carry. An injury to Derrick Barnes, however, is a blow to that unit. Barnes is on IR, and DT Alim McNeill is expected to play but was knocked out of last week's game by a shoulder injury.
With the run defense banged up and Walker's status settled, he should be playable in Week 4.
