The Seattle Seahawks’ backfield took a major hit at the worst possible time. Just as their ground game was starting to click, they lost Zach Charbonnet to a torn ACL in the Divisional Round against the 49ers.
It’s a brutal blow for a unit that had finally found its rhythm. Charbonnet led the team with 12 touchdowns this season and formed a dynamic one-two punch with Kenneth Walker III, who torched San Francisco for 116 yards and three touchdowns in that same game.
Now, with a trip to the NFC Championship on deck against the Los Angeles Rams, the Seahawks are forced to pivot-fast.
Kenneth Walker III: The Workhorse Role Begins
Let’s start with the obvious: this is now Kenneth Walker III’s backfield. The third-year back has shown flashes of star potential all season, but with Charbonnet out, he’s about to take on a full workload for the first time in 2026.
And the timing couldn’t be better-Walker is playing some of the best football of his career right now. His performance against the 49ers wasn’t just explosive, it was efficient and physical.
He ran with purpose and vision, and the offensive line gave him just enough daylight to do damage.
But the Seahawks can’t expect Walker to carry the entire load alone. They’ll need help behind him. The question is: where does that help come from?
Cam Akers: Familiar Face, Uncertain Future
Cam Akers is a name fans know well-especially Rams fans. The former second-round pick has been with Seattle since late November, though he’s barely seen the field.
Just one offensive snap and no carries. Most of his contributions have come on special teams, including a couple of kickoff returns.
Akers is only 26, but multiple Achilles injuries have clearly taken a toll on his explosiveness. That said, he’s not far removed from a season where he logged 104 carries for 444 yards split between Houston and Minnesota.
He’s got recent game reps, and more importantly, he knows the blocking schemes. That familiarity could give him a leg up in the race to be RB2.
The Seahawks don’t need to sign Akers to the active roster to use him, either. Thanks to playoff rules, practice squad players can be elevated an unlimited number of times. So if Seattle wants to give Akers a shot without making a long-term commitment, they can.
Velus Jones Jr.: Electric but Risky
Velus Jones Jr. is another practice squad option, but he comes with a big asterisk: ball security. The former wide receiver turned running back/kick returner has seen some mop-up duty-10 carries in two blowout situations-but his track record holding onto the football is shaky. Four fumbles on just over 100 career touches is a red flag, especially for a Seahawks team that’s already struggled with turnovers this season.
Jones hasn’t returned kicks for Seattle yet, and he’s not someone you’d trust in pass protection. He’s not a natural running back, and that limits how and when you can use him. If he sees the field, it’ll likely be in very specific packages designed to get him in space-nothing more.
George Holani: The Wild Card
Now here’s the intriguing one: George Holani. The rookie out of Boise State earned the RB3 role coming out of camp and even scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 10 against Arizona. He’s been on injured reserve since Week 12 with a hamstring injury, but head coach Mike Macdonald left the door open for a return this week.
“George is an option, yeah,” Macdonald said on Monday. “See how it goes this week.”
We’ll know more once the first injury report drops on Wednesday, but if Holani is healthy, he might be the most complete option behind Walker. He’s a capable runner, solid in pass protection, and can contribute on special teams. His running style mirrors Charbonnet’s more than anyone else on the roster-physical, downhill, and dependable.
Holani doesn’t have the flash of a Walker or the name recognition of an Akers, but he might offer the best all-around skill set of the available options.
Rashid Shaheed: Gadget Player With Speed to Burn
While not a traditional running back, Rashid Shaheed could see an uptick in carries as the Seahawks look to get creative. Since arriving at the trade deadline, Shaheed has logged nine rushing attempts to go with 15 receptions. His touches in the run game have come on tosses, direct snaps, and end-arounds-designed plays that get him to the edge where his speed can do damage.
You’re not handing him the ball between the tackles, but in a post-Charbonnet world, Shaheed could be used as an extension of the run game. Think jet sweeps, misdirection, and quick hitters to keep defenses honest.
Who Gets the Call?
The Seahawks have options, but none of them are perfect. Akers brings experience and scheme familiarity, but questions about his explosiveness linger.
Jones is dynamic but risky. Holani might be the most well-rounded, but his availability remains uncertain.
And Shaheed? He’s a wildcard-more of a gadget than a true backfield solution.
What we do know is this: Kenneth Walker III is going to be the engine of this offense in the NFC Championship. The Seahawks will ride him as far as he can take them. But whether it’s Akers stepping in for a revenge game against his former team, Holani making a surprise return, or some creative usage of Shaheed, Seattle will need more than just one back to get through the Rams and beyond.
One thing’s for sure-the Seahawks can’t afford to miss a beat. The stakes are too high.