Seahawks Open RB Zach Charbonnet’s Practice Window

Charbonnet was designated for return on Thursday, per a team announcement. His 21-day practice window is open as a result. Players who are moved to the reserve/PUP list are required to miss at least the first four games of the season.

That means Charbonnet will be sidelined for one more contest at a minimum. A tweak to NFL rules for this season allowed players on the PUP list to begin practicing after just two weeks, though. An early return to practice was recently raised as a possibility in Charbonnet’s case. As a result, today’s news comes as little surprise.

An ACL tear suffered in the divisional round of last year’s playoffs brough Charbonnet’s 2026 campaign to an abrupt end. Seattle’s stint with a backfield tandem was halted, leaving Kenneth Walker to handle workhorse duties for the NFC title game and the Super Bowl. Walker’s free agent departure created a need at the running back spot for the defending champions.

The Seahawks used their first-round pick on Jadarian Price, and he has recorded 32 touches during his first three NFL games. The Notre Dame product has encountered fumbling issues early on, though, and his college career did not include a heavy workload. Charbonnet’s return will give Seattle a key option in the running game and the red zone in particular after he rushed for 12 touchdowns in 2025.

This season marks the end of Charbonnet’s rookie contract. The 25-year-old’s ability to return to full strength and reprise his role as an offensive regular will be critical in determining his financial future as a result. A Week 5 debut will not be confirmed until Charbonnet is officially brought onto the active roster, but this is a positive sign he will be in the lineup at the first opportunity.