Macdonald mum on Charbonnet playing vs. Bears

The team has yet to activate Charbonnet from injured reserve but removed him from the injury report Saturday, leaving only the procedural step in the way of his season debut. He likely returns to a limited role as the team manages his reps in his first game since tearing his ACL in 2025. Rookie Jadarian price is also expected to play after being removed from the injury report. He, too, will need to be activated from injured reserve.

It’s not particularly concerning — this is probably part of a pre-established practice plan as Charbonnet completes his injury comeback — but Jadarian Price’s Friday return to full practice certainly has our attention. Now even if Charbonnet does manage to make his 2026 debut on Monday evening against the Bears, he could have even more company in Seattle’s crowded backfield. Both backs returning would make all three of Charbonnet, Price and Emanuel Wilson shaky FLEX plays. We will receive official game designations on Saturday afternoon. Until then, hang tight.

It’s obviously a positive development for Charbonnet, who appears to be on track for his season debut against the Bears in Week 8. Fantasy managers just have to keep in mind that the rug was pulled from underneath last week when the Seahawks ruled the tailback out late in the week. Jadarian Price (chest) was a limited participant, but fantasy managers who want to use a Seattle tailback on Monday night won’t have clarity until Saturday at the earliest.

Wilson handily outperformed former Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker in the latter’s return to Seattle, spiking his fantasy production with a 21-yard touchdown scamper late in the fourth quarter with the Seahawks in ice mode. The outburst went down as the second time in Wilson’s career in which he hit the century mark in rushing, pleasing fantasy managers that were forced into his services in Week 7 through both byes and injuries. Wilson’s days as the lead back in Seattle are likely numbered with veteran Zach Charbonnet reportedly nearing a return from his 2025 torn ACL. That could occur as early as Week 8 when the Seahawks face the Bears.

Lock will serve as the emergency quarterback while the team will have to wait another week for the season debut of Zach Charbonnet. The Seahawks look to make up ground in the NFC West following the loss from the 49ers against one of two remaining undefeated teams in the league.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald told reporters that Charbonnet has not suffered a setback. He just isn’t ready yet. Many teams might rush a player of his caliber back, now that he is practicing in full, but the Seahawks are smartly taking the long view with Charbonnet’s health. Emanuel Wilson will function as the team’s leading rusher while George Holani plays on passing downs.

Charbonnet underwent ACL reconstruction after suffering his season-ending knee injury in the Seahawks’ Divisional Round win over the 49ers. He will make his 2026 debut in Week 7 against the Chiefs, facing his former teammate, Kenneth Walker. Charbonnet’s expected workload is unknown, though he could handle enough touches to be FLEX-viable. As long as he stays healthy, Charbonnet should advance to the RB2 ranks in the coming weeks.

Charbonnet was expected to get a full week of practice, so this is no surprise. He is listed as a full participant for the first time since returning to practice and is trending to be activated off the physically unable to perform list ahead of a Week 7 matchup against the Chiefs. With Jadarian Price on injured reserve, he is headed for a sizeable share of the Seahawks’ ambiguous backfield. Charbonnet is in the RB3 ranks if activated.

Finally, some good news for both Seahawks fans and fantasy managers, alike, after the Seattle run game has gotten off to a sluggish start to the 2026 season. Charbonnet has been on the physically unable to perform list through the first six weeks of the season but appears likely to make his return to the active roster for a marquee matchup against the Chiefs in a game some would consider a must-win for the suddenly reeling Seahawks. Macdonald added that the veteran back would get a full week of practice this week before any decision was made. Fantasy managers can add Charbonnet from waivers, if available.

Wilson is now down to just 3.4 yards per carry while filling in for numerous key injuries in the Seattle backfield, with the team clearly waiting with bated breath for the return of Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet continues to inch closer to a return from injured reserve and appears likely to bring an end to the Wilson experiment, relegating the latter to bench fodder in fantasy circles in the process. That could come a early a Week 7 when the Seahawks host the Chiefs.