Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is steadily progressing through the final stages of his recovery from a torn ACL sustained back in January, putting him on the cusp of returning to the active roster. As the Seahawks prepare for a crucial stretch of the 2026 NFL regular season, the fourth-year running back out of UCLA has been listed as limited for each of the first two estimated practice reports during Week 6 preparations.
Despite his presence on the practice field, head coach Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks’ coaching staff have already indicated that Charbonnet will not be activated from the reserve/PUP list in time for the team’s upcoming Thursday night matchup against the Denver Broncos. Having yet to log a full practice since his 21-day evaluation window was officially opened by the organization last week, Charbonnet remains a long shot to suit up on such a short week. Instead, a more realistic and appropriate target for his highly anticipated season debut is shaping up to be Week 7, when the Seahawks are scheduled to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
The journey back to the gridiron has been a methodical process for the 25-year-old running back. Charbonnet originally signed a four-year, $6.88 million contract with the Seahawks in July 2023 after being selected in the second round of that year’s NFL draft. Over his first few seasons in Seattle, he has carved out a valuable role in the backfield, initially operating behind Kenneth Walker III while demonstrating strong utility in passing situations, short-yardage conversions, and blocking assignments. Over time, Charbonnet’s physical running style—standing at 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds—paired with his reliable pass-catching ability, earned him an increasingly prominent share of the offensive workload.
As the 2026 season approached, optimism surrounded the backfield rotation, with reports indicating that Charbonnet could push for an even split of touches under the offensive scheme, particularly with the team navigating transitions at the quarterback position and seeking balance on offense. However, the serious knee injury suffered in January disrupted those plans, forcing him to begin the regular season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
The timeline for his return has been carefully managed by the Seahawks’ medical and coaching staffs. Rumors surrounding his recovery surfaced as early as September, when indications pointed toward a potential minimum stay on the PUP list, raising hopes for a return around Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers. Although that initial target proved slightly too ambitious, the opening of his 21-day practice window at the start of October marked a significant turning point in his rehabilitation.
Throughout his recovery, Seattle’s backfield has had to navigate various challenges, including minor injuries to other depth pieces like running back Jadarian Price, who dealt with a shoulder issue following a Week 2 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The offense recently experienced a hard-fought 32-29 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, a game that further underscored the physical demands placed on the running back room and highlighted the eventual need for Charbonnet’s fresh legs and versatile skill set.
As Charbonnet continues to ramp up his practice participation under the watchful eye of the training staff, the immediate focus shifts to the Thursday night clash against a stingy Denver Broncos pass defense that currently boasts an overall quarterback rating against of 55.9. While the Seahawks’ offense works through game plans without him on the field for this short turnaround, the anticipation surrounding his reintegration into the game-day lineup continues to grow.
If all goes according to plan in practice over the coming days and weeks, Charbonnet will avoid any major setbacks and complete the final hurdles of his 21-day evaluation window. Should he hit those markers, the stage will be set for him to officially return to the active roster ahead of Week 7, providing a welcome boost to Seattle’s ground game and offering fantasy managers and fans alike the sight of the fourth-year runner back in action against the Chiefs.
