Zach Charbonnet is ahead of schedule as he rehabilitates a postseason ACL tear, but the idea that he could be on the field Week 1 is pure coach fiction.
If and when Charbonnet lands on the PUP list to start the season, first-round rookie Jadarian Price and George Holani will likely split the RB touches. Holani has been working most with the first team offense, but Price has been praised by coaches and will likely have a significant role Week 1. Regardless, Charbonnet is a clear buy-low target in dynasty leagues as he profile more as an every-down running back than Price and Holani.
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) could ...
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) had ...
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) tore ...
Michael Hanich insists that “Both backs (Holani and Price) have looked the most athletic during position drills and have reportedly taken the most reps among the starting units. These are the two players in the unit that have the most expectations going into this season.” George Holani has been tasked by the coaching staff to step up for the injured Zach Charbonnet.
Meanwhile, former Green Bay Packers backup Emanuel Wilson, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract, and fourth-year veteran Kenny McIntosh, are battling for the team’s RB3 role. Unlike most dynasty ranking service, PlayerProfiler has Holani ahead of Wilson based on the reality on the ground in Seattle.
Zach Charbonnet was restricted to side-field work at Tuesday’s mandatory minicamp due to a knee issue. The injury limits a back who logged 184 carries and 24 red zone touches for Seattle last season.
Charbonnet’s injury recovery this summer remains critical as he seeks to improve upon an efficient 2.99 Yards Created Per Touch from his sophomore campaign. George Holani and Emanuel Wilson will take between-the-tackles touches until Charbonnet is activated from the PUP list.
Not exactly confidence-inducing coachspeak. With Kenneth Walker III vacating the premises and Zach Charbonnet’s February ACL surgery leaving the backfield in a state of absolute triage, Mike Macdonald is desperately hoping Emanuel Wilson and Day 2 rookies fill the team’s massive early-season RB void.
Charbonnet rumbled for 730 yards and 12 scores last year, but his 3.8 True Yards Per Carry (#49) and 22.1-percent Juke Rate (#32) scream “volume-dependent grinder” rather than a high-octane efficiency engine. He’s a stone-cold lock to open 2026 on the PUP list, and the Seahawks are telegraphing that they’re ready to pivot to a fresh set of legs in the NFL Draft.
Michael-Shawn Dugar from The Athletic insists Kenny McIntosh “should get an opportunity” to be Seattle’s lead back while Zach Charbonnet rehabs a torn ACL.
Dugar believes a healthy McIntosh is as talented as any running back on Seattle’s roster despite missing the 2025 season with his own ACL tear. He remains a viable deep dynasty flier, though his true value depends on whether the Seahawks draft backfield competition.
While Charbonnet’s surgery went well, an ACL tear in the Divisional Round (January) makes him a strong candidate for the PUP list to start the 2026 season. Even upon return, his grinder profile creates a natural pairing with a hyper-efficient playmaker. Price’s dynasty stock could double and his best ball stock would surge if he landed in Seattle in Round 1.
