Seahawks Suddenly Have Real Hope For A Backfield Boost

As the Seahawks face roster challenges, the potential return of Zach Charbonnet promises a crucial boost for their running game.

The Seattle Seahawks may be getting a major lift in the running game just as their backfield has started to look thin.

Seattle is 3-2 through five weeks, and even after a Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, there’s still plenty of optimism around the team. The one area drawing the most concern is the running back room, where George Holani and Emmanuel Wilson have not been playing well and Jadarian Price is on IR, waiting for a return.

That makes the latest update on Zach Charbonnet all the more important.

Charbonnet is still not ready for Week 6 against the Denver Broncos, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that he has a “legitimate chance” to be back in Week 7. Fowler wrote, “Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet has a legitimate chance to make his season debut in Week 7 vs. Kansas City, multiple sources say.”

That’s not a guarantee, but it’s about as encouraging as Seattle could hope for at this point. If Charbonnet does get back next week, the Seahawks would be welcoming back their RB1 at a time when the group behind him has been under pressure.

The timing matters, too. Seattle let Kenneth Walker III leave in free agency, and he has gone on to thrive with the Kansas City Chiefs. Getting Charbonnet healthy and back on the field would give the Seahawks a chance to see that spot produce in the way they need.

Charbonnet’s absence has lasted through the first six games of the season after he tore his ACL late last year. Before the injury, he ran for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns on 184 carries last season.

Now, with Week 7 very much in play, Seattle appears to be closing in on Charbonnet’s 2026 NFL season debut.

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