Seahawks Announce Unfortunate RB Move Ahead of Chiefs Game

Zach Charbonnet's return timeline has taken another turn, with Mike MacDonald and the Seattle Seahawks keeping a close eye on his recovery.

by Yagya Bhargava

Oct 23, 2026

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald

Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs arrive in Seattle as the NFL’s only unbeaten AFC team, sitting at 5-0 in the 2026 NFL season after last Sunday’s 22-6 win over the Chargers.

The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are at 3-3 under head coach Mike Macdonald, coming off a home loss to San Francisco and a 17-14 overtime defeat in Denver.

The Chiefs quarterback is making his first regular-season visit to Seattle since a 38-31 loss in December 2018. He brings a familiar face along in Kenneth Walker III, the Super Bowl LX MVP who left the Seahawks in free agency and leads the league with 665 rushing yards.

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet.

Steven Bisig-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

The Seahawks’ backfield has been a storyline since January, when Zach Charbonnet went down with a significant knee injury in the first half of a 41-6 divisional-round win over the 49ers.

He left after five carries for 20 yards, needed surgery and has yet to play this season, which leaves him without any 2026 numbers. On Friday, Macdonald ruled the running back out for Sunday, even though he was activated from the PUP list Thursday and practiced fully all week.

According to Macdonald, there has been no setback and the delay was planned, so the UCLA product’s next chance to return comes on November 2 against the Chicago Bears. Seattle drafted him 52nd overall in 2023, and he has spent his entire career with the Seahawks.

Across 49 games, he has 1,761 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 427 carries, plus 95 catches for 693 yards, with 2025 his best year at 730 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Without him, the Seahawks will lean on Emanuel Wilson, who has 303 yards and two touchdowns, and George Holani, who has 97 yards, while rookie Jadarian Price remains on injured reserve.

The Seahawks host the Chiefs on Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET at Lumen Field.