Running back Zach Charbonnet underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered during the NFC Divisional Round, and early expectations suggest he could miss a significant portion of the 2026 season.
For a team coming off a Super Bowl run, the timing creates immediate uncertainty in a backfield that suddenly looks far less stable.
Zach Charbonnet Injury Creates Major Seahawks Backfield Questions
Charbonnet was a key part of Seattle’s offense in 2025, rushing for 730 yards on 184 carries while leading the team with 12 rushing touchdowns.
He also added 144 receiving yards and served as the power complement in the Seahawks’ two-back rotation.
The 25-year-old suffered the injury on Jan. 17 against the San Francisco 49ers, and his surgery came nearly five weeks later, pushing his recovery timeline deeper into the calendar.
#Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet just posted on Instagram that he underwent surgery for torn ACL.
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) February 20, 2026
It's not uncommon for such a surgery to happen several weeks after the injury occurred. But this pushes his recovery clock even further into the 2026 season. pic.twitter.com/QvP0QohSGO
Typical ACL recovery for a running back ranges from nine to twelve months, making a return before the midpoint of the 2026 season an aggressive scenario. Even if he does make it back earlier, teams usually bring backs along cautiously due to the cutting and explosion required at the position.
The injury is especially difficult for Seattle given Charbonnet’s physical role in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
Seahawks Face Uncertainty With Kenneth Walker’s Future
The timing becomes even more problematic when factoring in the status of fellow running back Kenneth Walker III.
Walker, who rushed for 1,027 yards during the regular season and went on to win Super Bowl LX MVP after a dominant playoff run, is scheduled to hit free agency.
Reports suggest the Seahawks are unlikely to use the franchise tag, meaning their top two backs could both be unavailable or uncertain when the 2026 season begins.
Zach Charbonnet -
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) February 23, 2026
DOS 2/20/26
9 months timetable would place him at Week 12 (late November) at the soonest.
If Seattle doesn’t re-sign Kenneth Walker, they’ll likely wind up bringing in two key RBs to utilize until Charbs can return. https://t.co/16J2hZiZk1
Charbonnet remains under contract through the final year of his rookie deal, carrying a modest cap hit of just over $2.1 million. That makes him a valuable long-term piece, but his health now becomes a major factor in Seattle’s offseason planning.
If Walker departs and Charbonnet isn’t ready for Week 1, the Seahawks may be forced to explore veteran additions or the draft to stabilize their rushing attack.
Photo Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
