Seahawks Rule Zach Charbonnet, Drake Thomas Out vs. Broncos on Thursday Night Football
Though he's made great progress since returning to the field two weeks ago, the Seahawks won't throw Zach Charbonnet back into the mix yet on Thursday Night Football in Denver, while the defense will be missing a key starter on short rest.
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet participates in pre-practice drill work at the VMAC. Credit: Corbin Smith/Emerald City Spectrum
RENTON, Wash. - Already unofficially ruled out earlier in the week, Zach Charbonnet will not make his anticipated 2026 debut for the Seattle Seahawks against the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football.
In the midst of his third week back at practice since being designated to return from the PUP list, Charbonnet was ruled out by the Seahawks on Wednesday's final injury report. While he won't be in uniform on Thursday, the fourth-year back out of UCLA could be seen powering his way through the gauntlet drill and working through quick cut drills with coach Thomas Hammock during the pre-practice period, an encouraging sign as he draws closer to his return from a torn ACL.
"He looks tremendous," coach Mike Macdonald said. "Working through it how we're going to handle the situation. Right now, our focus is on playing a game and he's not playing in this game, so he's going to be cheering us on and he'll move forward."
Coming off a tough loss to San Francisco on Sunday, Seattle certainly would have loved to have a glass of Charbonnet in the backfield in Denver. Emanuel Wilson and George Holani each lost crucial fumbles inside the Seahawks' 20-yard line in that game, directly leading to 14 points for the 49ers, and the two veterans combined for just 68 rushing yards and under three yards per carry.
Through Week 5, Seattle ranks 18th in rushing yards per game (106.0) and yards per attempt (3.8), totals that have been buoyed by a 28-yard touchdown run from receiver Rashid Shaheed and 119 rushing yards from rookie Jadarian Price, who still has to miss at least two more games on injured reserve.
Those struggles didn't sway the Seahawks to rush Charbonnet back before the team deems him ready, however, especially on a short week. Macdonald made that clear on Monday, citing doing "right by the process" as the only goal for all parties involved with making the decision on when he will suit up for a game.
As Macdonald reiterated on Wednesday, Charbonnet isn't even nine months removed from surgery to reconstruct his ACL.
Corbin K. Smith
At the same time, nobody could have blamed the Seahawks if temptation proved too strong to resist. Charbonnet rushed for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns as part of a one-two punch with former starter Ken Walker III and maybe most importantly, he has never fumbled in his NFL career. That would be quite a changeup considering the current cast of backs has lost four fumbles already in 2026.
With Charbonnet out for at least one more game, Wilson, Holani, rookie Robert Henry Jr., who was signed off the Commanders practice squad earlier this month, and Velus Jones Jr. will all potentially be available to rotate into the lineup.
On Wednesday, the Seahawks re-signed Jones to the 53-man roster only two days after being waived and returning to the practice squad. Receiver Irv Charles, who was activated earlier in the week off injured reserve and took Jones' spot on the 53, was released and immediately re-signed on the practice squad as a vested veteran in a switcheroo that provides more running back depth on short rest.
In additional injury news, the Seahawks will be without one of their starting linebackers on Thursday night, as Drake Thomas did not participate in Wednesday's practice after injuring his ankle against the 49ers. Called a "tough cookie" by Macdonald for sucking it up and returning to action in the second half on Sunday, the coach indicated he doesn't know how long the veteran will be sidelined past Thursday night.
Filling in for Thomas, third-year linebacker Tyrice Knight will slide into the starting lineup next to Ernest Jones IV, making his first start since Week 11 against the Cardinals last season. He forced two fumbles in that game on strip sacks that were returned by Demarcus Lawrence for touchdowns.
"We're confident he'll play great," Macdonald said. "Standards stay the same when he's in. I know he's excited for the opportunity and we're excited to see him play."
Despite being estimated as limited participants on Monday and Tuesday with ankle injuries, as confirmed by Macdonald, Seattle will have star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and defensive tackle Leonard Williams in the Mile High City. Neither player received a designation on the final injury report and will be good to go without a hitch.
