Zach Charbonnet is getting close enough to matter again for the Seahawks, and Seattle may not have to wait much longer to see him back on the practice field.
Head coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday that Charbonnet could be cleared to practice as soon as Thursday, a step that would start a 21-day window for the Seahawks to activate him. He was clear that nothing was final yet.
“Still working through Zach’s situation, there’s a chance that we open it up and he practices tomorrow,” Macdonald told reporters. “He won’t practice today. So, we’ll see.”
That potential return comes at a time when Seattle badly needs help in the backfield. The Seahawks managed only 44 rushing yards in their latest outing, their lowest total since Week 8 of the 2024 season. Rookie first-round pick Jadarian Price has struggled with ball security in his first three NFL games, and Emanuel Wilson and George Holani have both been inconsistent behind him.
“It’s a matter of how many practices does he need, roster spots, things like that,” Macdonald added. “But he’s doing a great job, and I think he’s in a great position mentally.
It’s just, ‘What’s the best time and when?’ and ‘How does that create the most opportunities to get him ready to play?’
… We’ll decide by tomorrow. He’ll either practice tomorrow or he won’t.”
Once Charbonnet is ready, he should step right into the lead role at running back now that Kenneth Walker III is with the Kansas City Chiefs. Charbonnet put together a big 2025 season before the injury, piling up career highs with 730 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns and 184 carries. He was a former 2023 second-round pick.
His ACL tear happened in Seattle’s 41-6 divisional-round playoff win over the San Francisco 49ers. Walker later broke out in the Super Bowl and signed a three-year, $43.05 million deal with the Chiefs.
What happens next for Charbonnet could shape the Seahawks’ plans at running back for the rest of the season and beyond. He is set to hit free agency this offseason unless Seattle works out a new deal before the year ends.
Price’s development will also factor into that decision, since he is viewed as the future at the position. If his problems continue, Seattle may be forced to keep Charbonnet around rather than lean on the draft again.
In Other News...
Seahawks Backfield Concern Grows As Key Defender Trends Toward Return
The Seahawks Thursday injury report brought a little clarity on the back end and a few more questions in the backfield. Safety Ty Okada was limited, and Julian Love was also listed as limited, though Love is expected to play against the Chargers. Seattles running back room, meanwhile, kept drawing attention, with rookie Jadarian Price sidelined by a chest injury and George Holani limited in practice.
Zach Charbonnet was back on the field in a limited capacity after working his way back from an ACL tear, a sign the Seahawks are at least moving him closer to availability. He is not yet eligible to play in games, but his return to practice adds another layer to a backfield that already looks thin at the moment, especially with Seattle still sorting through who will be available when the Chargers come to town. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Rushing Struggles Point To A Bigger Offensive Concern
Seattles rushing problems have become one of the clearest signs that the offense is still trying to find its footing. The Seahawks are averaging 101 rushing yards per game, a drop from what they had hoped to establish, and the reasons are layered: the loss of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Kenneth Walker IIIs absence, injuries to other ball-carriers and the usual ripple effects that come with quarterback instability.
Even with that uneven ground game, the offense has still managed to put up 25 points per game on average, which is part of why the bigger concern feels less like a collapse than a work in progress. The expectation around the team is that the rushing attack should improve as the pieces settle, but for now it remains tied to a larger question about how quickly Seattle can regain consistency across the offense. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Get Encouraging Injury News Before A Bigger Chargers Test
The Seahawks got a useful midweek lift as they worked through practice preparations for a bigger Chargers test. Zach Charbonnet opened his practice window, a meaningful step as Seattle continues to manage its backfield, while Ty Okada was back in limited work after missing time. The rest of the injury report brought a familiar mix of limited and full participation, giving the coaching staff a better sense of who might be available as the game plan comes into focus.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, had a more uneven day on the field. Some Chargers players were back to full participation, but Derwin James and Ladd McConkey did not practice after being limited the previous day, a sign that the situation still bears watching on both sides of the matchup. For Seattle, the encouraging developments are helpful, but the real test will be how much of that progress carries into a game against a Chargers team that is still sorting out its own health. [Read more 🡒]