The Seattle Seahawks’ backfield has been a mess early in the 2026 season, and Week 5 made that clear in a 32-29 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Emanuel Wilson handled the lead role, but the results were thin. He rushed 20 times for 61 yards and scored on a two-yard run, yet the bigger storyline was the fumble he lost deep in Seattle territory in the second quarter. San Francisco seized the moment, and the game tilted from there.
George Holani didn’t provide much relief. He was stuffed for two negative rushing attempts against the 49ers’ defensive front, finished with seven yards on four carries, and added another costly fumble. His one bright spot came as a receiver, where he totaled 24 yards on four catches.
That kind of production leaves Seattle offensive coordinator Brian Fleury searching for answers. Sam Darnold has been turnover-prone since coming back from a hip injury, and the offense clearly can’t afford to ask him to do everything.
There is at least some encouraging news. Zach Charbonnet has recently returned to practice, and the Seahawks appear to be moving closer to getting him back after he tore his ACL in the postseason in January against the 49ers.
Fleury sounded upbeat about the former second-round pick’s progress.
"It's exciting to see him out there," Fleury said this past week. "I mean, he's still getting up to speed, and obviously we don't have like a whole lot of reps to spare to give him if we know he's not playing. So, it's just kind of been some basic stuff, but it's exciting to have him out there."
Charbonnet could immediately take some of Wilson’s workload once he’s active, though a full workhorse load would still require time.
The short week before Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos makes a quick return less likely, so Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football may be the more realistic target.
Price’s first chance to return could come against the Chicago Bears in the first week of November.
For now, Price’s issue mirrors the problem that hurt Seattle against San Francisco: ball security. He already has two fumbles in his first three games, including one that proved costly in the team’s 33-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 3.
Even when Price is back, Seattle may not rush him into a bigger role if Charbonnet can help settle down the turnover issues.
In Other News...
Seahawks Suddenly Face A Tough Christian Haynes Decision After Latest Loss
After the loss to the 49ers, the Seahawks are again staring at the kind of midseason roster question that can reshape a stretch run. Turnovers helped sink them, and with the trade deadline approaching, Seattle is weighing whether to make a move that could help at running back while also affecting a part of the roster that has quietly stabilized.
Christian Haynes has been one of the better recent stories on the offensive line, which is exactly why his name has surfaced as a possible trade candidate. Moving him could give Seattle a chance to address another need, but it would also create a hole up front unless the return is strong enough to justify it, leaving the Seahawks with a decision that is as much about protecting what they have as it is about adding something new. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Suddenly Have Real Hope For A Backfield Boost
The Seahawks may finally be closing in on a much-needed boost in the backfield, with Zach Charbonnet now trending toward a possible season debut in Week 7. The second-year running back has been sidelined since tearing his ACL late last season, and Seattle has gone the first six games without him as it has tried to sort through its rushing workload.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Charbonnet has a legitimate chance to get back on the field next week, which would give the Seahawks another physical option at a position that has felt thin at times. Even before he was hurt, Charbonnet looked like a player Seattle wanted to feature, so his return would carry real weight for a team trying to stabilize its ground game heading into the heart of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Suddenly Have A Josh Jobe Problem They Can't Ignore
Josh Jobe entered this stretch with a real opportunity to settle into a larger role after signing a three-year deal with Seattle, but the latest outing against San Francisco did not help his case. He was targeted often enough to become a focal point, and the damage in receptions and yards was hard to miss for a Seahawks secondary still trying to find its best mix.
The cornerback room already looks different after the offseason shuffle and the addition of Trevon Diggs, which only raises the pressure on Jobe to hold his spot. If Seattle decides the competition needs another jolt, more changes are possible, and the next few decisions around the position will say plenty about how much faith the team really has in Jobe's long-term fit. [Read more 🡒]