Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet. Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

Seahawks' rushing attack takes major hit ahead of NFC Championship Game

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Jan 20, 2026 8:02 AM ET

A focal point of the Seattle Seahawks' season-long success was a solid ground attack, headlined by a two-headed monster of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.

An injury in Saturday's 41-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers has officially knocked out one half of that duo for the remainder of the season.

Zach Charbonnet needs season-ending surgery

As was first reported by Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic, the knee injury Charbonnet suffered in Saturday's game has knocked him out for the rest of the postseason. The knee injury will require surgery, meaning Charbonnet's season is done, and he will miss this coming Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Charbonnet tallied five carries for 20 yards before his injury against the 49ers. For the season, Charbonnet set career highs in rushing yards (730) and rushing touchdowns (12). The balance between him and Walker gave Seattle one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL.

Breaking: Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet suffered a season-ending knee injury that will require surgery, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald announced on Seattle Sports. pic.twitter.com/DYMawMnXiX
— ESPN (@espn) January 19, 2026

Who are the Seahawks' options behind Kenneth Walker III?

With the absence of Charbonnet, the new backup running back will be Velus Jones Jr. Jones ran the ball six times for 10 yards against the 49ers in the divisional round. Before those six carries, his last carries came Dec. 7 against the Atlanta Falcons. Jones tallied four carries for 32 yards in that game, his only game with rushing stats the entire season.

Walker and Jones are the only two active running backs on the Seahawks roster, meaning offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak may have to get creative. That could mean more rush packages for Rashid Shaheed. It could also mean increased carries for Walker in Sunday's game.

Whatever Kubiak and the rest of the offensive staff decide, the loss of Charbonnet has the potential to loom large and potentially cost Seattle a chance at its first Super Bowl appearance since the 2014-15 season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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