New Zach Charbonnet Injury Update, Return Timeline After Seahawks Open RB's Practice Window

A slow start this season for the Seattle Seahawks' rushing attack could get a boost soon with Zach Charbonnet taking a significant step in his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in the playoffs last season.

The Seahawks announced on Thursday they have opened Charbonnet's practice window, making him eligible to practice this week and potentially return as soon as Week 5.

Charbonnet tore his ACL in the second quarter of Seattle's 41-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round. The game was played on Jan. 17, all but ensuring he wouldn't be ready to go at the start of the season.

Seattle made that official by keeping Charbonnet on the physically unable to perform list after final roster cuts were due on Aug. 30.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider told reporters at the time there was never any serious consideration to taking Charbonnet off the PUP list at the end of the preseason.

Head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters on Wednesday that Charbonnet's return to game action is a "matter of how many practices they need, roster spots and things like that."

League rules require a player activated off the PUP list to be added to the 53-man roster after 21 days or miss the remainder of the season. The 21-day window means Charbonnet has to be added to the active roster by Oct. 22.

The first game Charbonnet will be eligible to play is against the 49ers on Oct. 11.

Kenneth Walker III, who was named Super Bowl 60 MVP, left the Seahawks in free agency to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Seattle has split running back duties so far this season between Jadarian Price and Emanuel Wilson.

Price has started each game thus far, but he has yet to play more than 50 percent of the offensive snaps in any contest. The Notre Dame alum has also lost a fumble in each of the past two weeks.

Wilson leads the Seahawks with 32 carries, 21 of which came in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. George Holani had a season-high eight carries in Week 3.

Charbonnet had his most productive season in 2025 with career-highs in rushing attempts (184), rushing yards (730) and rushing touchdowns (12).