Running back Zach Charbonnet is set to make his 2026 debut for the Seattle Seahawks, carrying no injury designation into Monday night’s matchup against the Chicago Bears at Lumen Field, according to ESPN Deportes. The return comes less than nine months after he underwent surgery for a torn left ACL.
The Long Road Back From Surgery
Charbonnet suffered the injury on January 17 during Seattle’s divisional round playoff victory over the San Francisco 49ers, undergoing reconstructive surgery on February 12. Because of that timeline, the running back enters game day without having reached the typical nine-month recovery threshold for a major knee ligament tear.
ESPN reported that the Seahawks activated Charbonnet off the physically unable to perform list on October 22, hitting the 21-day deadline after he returned to practice. Head coach Mike Macdonald praised the player’s uncommon dedication during his rehabilitation.
“Regresar en el plazo en que lo ha hecho, encontrarse en la situación en la que está, demostrar esa ética de trabajo y ser capaz de superar todo lo necesario para recuperarse de una lesión así en este momento es algo extraordinario.”
Macdonald said of the running back’s recovery process.
Despite logging full participation in practice leading up to last week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Charbonnet remained inactive. This week, however, he enters the contest with a clean bill of health alongside fellow running back Jadarian Price.
Roster Moves and Backfield Adjustments
Price, a first-round draft pick for Seattle, has missed the team’s last four games due to a chest injury. While Price carries no designation for Monday night, Macdonald stopped short of guaranteeing his activation from the injured reserve list.
ESPN Deportes noted that Seattle faces a deadline on Monday to clear a roster spot on the 53-man roster if Price is to play against Chicago. Emanuel Wilson and George Holani have carried the load in the offensive backfield while both Charbonnet and Price worked through their respective rehabilitations.
| Player | Injury | Status for Monday Night |
|---|---|---|
| Zach Charbonnet | Left ACL (Recovered) | Active / No Designation |
| Jadarian Price | Chest | Active / Roster Move Pending |
| Charles Cross | Ankle | Out |
| Rashid Shaheed | Knee | Out |
Key Absences on Both Sides of the Ball
While the return of Charbonnet provides a major boost to Seattle’s offense, the team will be without several key contributors against Chicago. Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that left tackle Charles Cross and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed have been ruled out after exiting the Chiefs game with ankle and knee injuries, respectively.
Backup running back Velus Jones Jr. is also sidelined with a hamstring strain, and starting outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu remains questionable due to an ankle injury. Additional depth players listed as questionable include guard Anthony Bradford, quarterback Drew Lock, linebacker Patrick O’Connell, and defensive tackle Brandon Pili.
