Seahawks RBBC Just Got More Crowded
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet has been designated to return from the physically unable to perform list and is expected to begin practicing with the team Thursday.
The move opens Charbonnet’s 21-day practice window. Seattle can activate him to the 53-man roster at any point during that stretch. He is not eligible to play until Week 5, when the Seahawks face San Francisco.
Charbonnet tore his ACL in January during Seattle’s 41-6 divisional-round playoff win over the 49ers. He had five carries for 20 yards before leaving the game. He missed the rest of the postseason as the Seahawks went on to win the Super Bowl, and he opened this season on the PUP list.
Before the injury, Charbonnet was a key part of Seattle’s backfield. He played in 16 games last season and ran 184 times for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added 20 catches for 144 yards. He split the work with Kenneth Walker III and still averaged 11.2 PPR points per game.
The backfield looks very different now. Walker, the Super Bowl MVP, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Jadarian Price has handled the lead role through three games, but ball security has been a problem, a big problem. He has lost a fumble in each of the last two weeks, and the Seahawks benched him for most of the first half after his fumble in last Sunday’s loss to Washington. Price has 119 yards on 28 carries this season.
Emanuel Wilson and George Holani have filled in behind Price. Each played 24 snaps against the Commanders, compared to 19 for Price. Neither has emerged as a clear lead option, which leaves room for Charbonnet to claim a meaningful share of the work once he is ready.
It remains unclear how quickly Seattle will bring him along. He will practice for the first time Thursday, and the team will likely want to see how his knee holds up over several weeks of practice before putting him back in a game. He could still miss time beyond Week 5 as he ramps up. Seattle hosts the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday in Week 4.
Charbonnet should be rostered in most formats. His touchdown production last season showed how valuable he can be near the goal line, and the Seahawks’ current backfield lacks a back who has locked down the job. Once he is fully healthy, Zach Charbonnet could be a solid flex option for fantasy managers in a backfield that has been searching for stability.
