The defending Super Bowl champions are just 3-3 in their first six games of the season, but help is on the way with running back Zach Charbonnet nearing a return. While Seattle Seahawks fans and fantasy managers have been anxiously awaiting his return, what kind of role will he be ready for when he does get back on the field? Will he immediately step in as the team’s lead running back, and should you rush to get him in your starting lineup?
Let’s take a look at the latest on Charbonnet’s status and what to expect from the Seahawks as they take on the Chiefs in a huge Week 7 matchup.
Zach Charbonnet Injury Update
Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL last January in the Divisional Round of the team’s postseason run and has been on the PUP list so far this season.
He has reportedly looked excellent throughout his recovery, and the team officially opened his 21-day window to return from the reserve/PUP list on October 1. The team has until the end of that window to activate him to the 53-man roster, or he will miss the rest of the season.
He has been limited in practice and could have returned in Week 6, but the Seahawks played on Thursday Night Football, creating a short week of preparation. While that made his Week 6 return more difficult, the extra time before Week 7’s big game could actually help him be ready this week.
Head coach Mike Macdonald said there was a good chance that Charbonnet would play in Week 7 after a full week of practice.
While Charbonnet has been recovering, the Seahawks have relied on Emanuel Wilson and George Holani to carry the load. Rookie Jadarian Price was also in the mix until he landed on IR with a chest injury after Week 3. Price could return soon, but he’s not eligible until Week 8 at the earliest. If Charbonnet does return in Week 7, he’ll share time with Wilson and Holani.
Zach Charbonnet Fantasy Football Outlook
Charbonnet has an extremely high ceiling when he’s back to full health. He could be a regular starter in all formats once he ramps up. The Seahawks do historically like rotating their running backs to keep them fresh, but coach Macdonald definitely showed he trusts Charbonnet last season, platooning him with Kenneth Walker III. In the 2025 regular season, Charbonnet finished with 730 rushing yards on 184 carries, scoring 12 touchdowns on the ground and adding 20 catches for 144 more yards. With Walker departing to the Chiefs, Charbonnet could take on an even larger role when he’s healthy.
He was the preferred red-zone option last year and is likely to resume that role right away, with Wilson and Holani not as reliable at finding the end zone.
Charbonnet is an excellent option to stash for down the road, so if he’s available on the waiver wire in any format, he’s a high-priority addition. However, it’s a little less clear how ready he’ll be to make an immediate impact.
He is just eight months removed from major ACL surgery, so it makes sense that the team would manage his workload even if he is cleared to return. If Charbonnet has a limited workload, his fantasy value may depend heavily on scoring opportunities. Wilson could continue to get early-down work in the middle of the field, while Charbonnet could step in for scoring chances.
The Bottom Line: Stash Zach Charbonnet; bench him in Week 7 if possible
While I love Charbonnet’s long-term upside, I’m not ready to trust him in a starting lineup even if he’s ready to return in Week 7. The fact that he faces the Chiefs’ tough defense on Sunday Night Football makes him a great stash this week, but not a very strong start.
