Zach Charbonnet Could Return Sunday as Seahawks Open His Window
Macdonald called a Week-ahead return a 'possibility' after Charbonnet logged a full practice week. He ran for 730 yards and 12 TDs in 2025.
Grab him now before a Sunday activation spikes the price.
- 730 rush yds, 12 TD on 184 carries in 2025
- 179 PPR pts in 16 games (2025)
- Torn left ACL in Jan. divisional round; surgery Feb. 20
- 21-day practice window opened Oct. 1
- Our RB rank: #2 at the position
Zach Charbonnet is close. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said the running back will get a full week of practice reps and that there's a possibility he suits up Sunday in some capacity — the clearest signal yet that Charbonnet's season is about to begin. He's been on the reserve/PUP list since tearing the ACL in his left knee on his fifth carry of the divisional round back in January, with surgery following on Feb. 20.
The timeline matters here. Seattle opened Charbonnet's 21-day return-to-practice window on Oct. 1, which means the team has to move him to the active roster this week or he finishes the season on PUP. In other words, the clock forces a decision — and Macdonald's comments suggest the team is leaning toward activation rather than shutting him down.
Remember what this guy did before the injury. Charbonnet ran for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns on 184 carries in the 2025 regular season, adding 20 catches for 144 yards. That's 179 PPR points across 16 games, and it came while splitting the backfield with Kenneth Walker — who's now doing damage in Kansas City after signing with the Chiefs in free agency.
Why the Walker Exit Changes Everything
With Walker gone, the biggest question hanging over Charbonnet's fantasy value evaporates. The split that capped his 2025 ceiling no longer exists in Seattle. If he returns healthy and earns the early-down and goal-line work, he's looking at a workload he never had last year — and the touchdown equity speaks for itself given those 12 scores in 2025.
The Fantasy Verdict
Charbonnet sits at RB2 in our rankings, and that's not an accident — it reflects the opportunity waiting for him in a Walker-less backfield. Temper Week 1 back expectations; Macdonald's 'in some capacity' phrasing hints at a snap count rather than a full workload right out of the gate. Still, if he's available on your waiver wire, this is the week to spend the FAAB. Add him now, stash him for one quiet week if you have to, and reap the reward once Seattle hands him the job.
If you already roster him, hold through the ramp-up and be patient — the upside here is top-shelf once the knee is cleared for a real snap share.
