Seahawks Backfield Suddenly Has A Big Chiefs Week Question

Zach Charbonnet's full return to Seahawks practice signals a potential early comeback, as Seattle weighs their options before finalizing the Week 7 roster against the Chiefs.

Zach Charbonnet took a meaningful step back toward the field on Wednesday, turning in a full practice for the first time since he returned to work on Oct. 1.

The Seahawks running back has been working his way back from February ACL surgery, and Wednesday’s report marked a new checkpoint after he had been limited on each of Seattle’s previous eight practice reports. Earlier this week, head coach Mike Macdonald said there’s a “possibility” Charbonnet could play “in some capacity” in Sunday night’s Week 7 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

There is also a roster wrinkle attached to Charbonnet’s comeback. Seattle must add him to its 53-man roster by Thursday, or he would have to stay on the physically unable to perform list for the rest of the season.

Not everyone on Seattle’s injury report moved in the same direction. Starting linebacker Drake Thomas was still out of practice with an ankle injury, after missing the Seahawks’ loss to the Denver Broncos last Thursday night. Thomas had been hurt four days earlier in Seattle’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Seahawks also had several players working in limited fashion on Wednesday: wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, starting right guard Anthony Bradford, backup guard Beau Stephens, backup linebacker Tyrice Knight and backup quarterback Drew Lock.

Bradford, who is on injured reserve, was designated to return to practice on Monday after missing the last five games. Macdonald said Bradford could be back for Sunday night’s game if everything goes well in practice this week.

Seattle’s full Wednesday report also included linebacker Chazz Surratt and edge rusher Connor O’Toole as non-participants, while edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence sat out for a non-injury-related rest day.

In Other News...

Rams Suddenly Have An Offensive Question They May Not Avoid Much Longer

The NFC West picture got a little more complicated Monday night, when the 49ers beat Washington 23-17 and some of their players were already talking about how much sharper they need to be against more efficient opponents. For the Seahawks, it is the kind of backdrop that keeps the division in focus, especially with Seattle trying to sort out its own offense while watching how the teams around it respond to early-season pressure.

Across the division, the Rams suddenly have a personnel issue they may not be able to ignore for long. Tight end Terrance Ferguson is not expected to be ready to come off injured reserve anytime soon, and with Davante Adams now out because of injury, the possibility of adding help at receiver is starting to loom. Seattle has its own questions as Sam Darnold works through a rough start, with some evaluators still seeing him as a quarterback who needs the right structure around him, while the Seahawks also weigh what a possible Week 7 return for Zach Charbonnet could mean for the offense. [Read more 🡒]

Seahawks Defense Just Got A Telling Sign Before Facing Mahomes

The Seahawks head into Sunday night with something rare for a matchup of this size: respect already coming their way from the other sideline. Seattles defense has earned the leagues top ranking, and it will be tested in a heavyweight meeting with Kansas City, the NFLs top offense, at Lumen Field.

Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes both singled out the Seahawks defense and its scheme, a notable nod before a game that will draw plenty of attention on NBC and Peacock. Mahomes even pointed back to previous battles with the Ravens defense run by Seattle coordinator Mike Macdonald, a reminder that this meeting will be as much about chess as star power when kickoff arrives at 5:20 p.m. PT. [Read more 🡒]

Kenneth Walkers Seattle Return Just Got A Lot More Interesting

Kenneth Walkers first trip back to Seattle is shaping up as one of the more intriguing storylines on the Chiefs schedule. The running back has been a driving force behind Kansas Citys 5-0 start, and he arrives as the NFLs rushing leader, a reminder of just how quickly he has become central to the offense after moving on from his former team.

The return also carries a little extra edge because it is happening in a place that knows him well. Chiefs players and Andy Reid have both weighed in on the matchup, while the team has been sorting through its usual injury and practice updates as it gets ready for the week ahead, adding another layer to a game that already had plenty of attention. [Read more 🡒]