The Seattle Seahawks are riding high after a dominant win over the 49ers, but their playoff push just hit a major speed bump. Running back Zach Charbonnet, who had been a key part of their backfield rotation, suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the postseason. It's a tough blow for a team that’s been building serious momentum.
But in classic next-man-up fashion, the Seahawks aren’t standing still. With their sights set on the NFC Championship Game against the Rams, they’re getting some much-needed reinforcements. Rookie running back George Holani and tight end Elijah Arroyo have both been activated off injured reserve, giving Seattle's offense a timely boost ahead of their biggest game of the year.
Let’s start with Holani. With Charbonnet out and Kenneth Walker III carrying the bulk of the load, Seattle needed another reliable option in the backfield.
Velus Jones Jr. was essentially the only backup, and while he’s got speed, he’s not built for a full playoff workload. Holani steps in as a fresh set of legs who can handle spot carries and keep Walker from wearing down.
He may not see a ton of touches, but in a game where every possession counts, even a handful of productive plays from Holani could swing momentum.
Then there’s Elijah Arroyo, who adds another dimension to the Seahawks’ passing attack. While A.J.
Barner has stepped up this season and become a dependable target, Arroyo gives Seattle a second tight end who can stretch the field and create mismatches. For quarterback Sam Darnold, who’s starting to settle into a rhythm with this offense, having another pass-catching threat-especially one with Arroyo’s athleticism-only makes life easier.
The Seahawks have been quietly building one of the more balanced offenses in the league. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerging as a legitimate playmaker and Walker continuing to be a home-run threat out of the backfield, adding Holani and Arroyo gives this team depth in the right places. No, they’re not headline stars, but they’re the kind of role players who can make a difference in a tight playoff game-especially against a Rams defense that’s been known to bring pressure and force teams to dig deep into their playbooks.
To make room for the returning duo, the Seahawks placed Charbonnet and offensive lineman Bryce Cabeldue on injured reserve. It’s a necessary roster shuffle, but one that underscores just how important it is to have depth during a playoff run.
Come Sunday, Seattle will need everything clicking. The Rams are no pushover, and this rivalry has produced its fair share of heavyweight battles.
But with Holani and Arroyo back in the fold, the Seahawks are reloading at just the right time. They’re not just surviving the injury bug-they’re adapting, adjusting, and pushing forward.
And in January football, that’s exactly what contenders do.