The Seahawks may finally be getting some help where they need it most. After a first half that has been easy to pin on an inconsistent run game, Seattle is set to welcome back a pair of backs for Monday night’s matchup with the Bears.
Zach Charbonnet is expected to make his season debut against Chicago, while rookie Jadarian Price is also on track to return. Charbonnet is still on injured reserve at the time of print as he works back from the torn ACL he suffered in the playoffs in January. Price, meanwhile, turned in full practice participation on Friday after sitting out the last month with a chest injury.
Seattle enters the game at 4-3 and has leaned on Emanuel Wilson to carry a heavy load after Kenneth Walker III’s free-agency departure and a string of injuries in the backfield. Wilson has topped 80 rushing yards three times, but the Seahawks clearly want more depth and more pop in the rotation.
That could matter even more with Chicago making a major addition up front. The Bears are bringing All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons into their front seven, which gives Seattle another reason to lean on its top three ball-carriers and try to keep the Bears guessing.
The Seahawks have seen what Sam Darnold can do when the ground game is working, and they’ll be looking for that version of the offense again on Monday night. Chicago still has plenty of punch on the other side, even with Kyle Monangai dealing with turf toe and a thumb injury, as D’Andre Swift leads the Bears’ rushing attack.
Seattle’s task is clear: narrow the gap in the trenches and make the Bears defend the full field. Opening kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
Rashid Shaheeds Seahawks Role Just Got Even More Complicated
Rashid Shaheeds arrival in Seattle was supposed to add another layer of speed and versatility to the Seahawks offense, and for stretches this season it has. He has played in seven games, made an impact on special teams and found the end zone once on the ground, but he still has yet to catch a receiving touchdown as the team has worked through how best to deploy him.
Now the picture gets murkier with Shaheed ruled out for the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears because of a knee injury. With coaches and the quarterback already weighing how his role might expand in the offense, the missed opportunity comes at a frustrating time, leaving Seattle to keep sorting out where Shaheed fits once he is healthy enough to return. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Face A Bigger Test Than Bears Fans Might Realize
The Seahawks head into Monday nights Week 8 matchup with the Bears carrying a longer injury list than Chicago, and that matters just as much as the prime-time stage. Seattle has several players listed as inactive or doubtful, including left tackle Charles Cross and edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu, two absences that can reshape both the protection plan and the pass rush before the first snap.
Chicago, by contrast, enters the game much healthier, with running back Kyle Monangai the only player listed as inactive. The coaching subplot also adds another layer, with Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald going against Bears head coach Ben Johnson in a matchup that should tell a lot about where both teams stand in the early stretch of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Face A Bears Formula That Could Expose Their Biggest Weakness
The Seahawks head into Monday night with a chance to measure themselves against a Chicago team that has found a clear identity under Ben Johnson. Ryan Heckman of FanSideds Bear Goggles On pointed to the Bears defensive blitz packages and their approach to controlling time of possession as two of the biggest elements Seattle has to handle in Week 8, and that combination can be a real problem for a team trying to settle into a rhythm on offense.
For Seattle, the matchup is about more than just one primetime game. The Bears style can shorten the contest, force mistakes and put extra pressure on every possession, which is exactly the kind of formula that can expose a weakness if the Seahawks are not sharp early. With NFC playoff positioning in play, this one carries a little more weight than a typical October test. [Read more 🡒]