Zach

Charbonnet

Charbonnet drew the start but saw four fewer opportunities than rookie Jadarian Price, the latter of whom led the team in rush yards and touches. Expect the two to continue operating in a near-even timeshare moving forward, leaving Charbonnet in shaky FLEX territory ahead of a Week 9 meeting with the Cardinals.

Charbonnet makes his season debut after a suffering a torn ACL late in the 2025 season while Price returns from short-term injure reserve due to a chest injury. Emmanuel Wilson and George Holani had held down the backfield in the absence of the two top backs, leaving an uncertain situation regarding expected backfield utilization when the Seahawks take on the Bears in a marquee matchup. Inactive for the Seahawks are QB Drew Lock, LB Uchenna Nwosu, WR Rashid Shaheed, RB Velus Jones Jr., OT Charles Cross, G Beau Stephens, and NT Brandon Pili.

Price and Zach Charbonnet will both make their returns from injured reserve tonight, putting the Seahawks’ backfield at full strength heading into a pivotal NFC matchup. It’s hard to know how the touches will be spread out in this one, which makes both backs hard to trust on Monday night against the Bears. Price averaged 11.5 carries per game in his two full games played this season, but Charbonnet should eat into that somewhat. Fantasy managers looking to play either Seattle running back in this one should temper expectations until we have more data to go on in the coming weeks.

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.

Macdonald said the team will continue to stick to their plan regarding Charbonnet’s return. The 25-year-old running back was activated from the PUP list last week, only to be ruled out before the weekend as the Seahawks were preparing to face the Chiefs. It’s worth noting that Charbonnet was a full participant in practice last week, so we would assume he will log another full week of practices this week. Should the Seahawks opt to sideline Charbonnet next week, Emanuel Wilson would again assume the role as lead back.

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.