Seahawks won't activate Zach Charbonnet for Thursday night; Chiefs debut appears more realistic
Seattle's offense will go another game without its top running back, with coach Mike Macdonald saying Charbonnet won't make his season debut at Denver despite the 21-day PUP window still being open
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The Seahawks will open their Thursday night game at Denver without Zach Charbonnet. Coach Mike Macdonald said the running back won't make his season debut in the interconference matchup, keeping the team's backfield-by-committee approach intact for another week at least.
Gregg Bell (@Gbellseattle): Coach Mike Macdonald says Charbonnet won't play tomorrow at Denver. But 10 days later for the #Seahawks vs the Chiefs appearing more realistic for his season debut
Charbonnet has been working his way back from the injury that has kept him out all season, and Seattle designated him for return from the physically unable to perform list earlier this month. The 21-day practice window remains open, but the Seahawks are being deliberate — Macdonald reiterated that a consensus of people need to sign off before Charbonnet plays, and "we're trying to do right by the process right now."
That timeline points toward the Chiefs game in Kansas City on Oct. 25 as a more realistic target for the featured back's debut, roughly 10 days after Thursday night. In the meantime, Seattle will lean on Emanuel Wilson and George Holani at Denver, with ball security a priority after the error-prone stretch that has defined the Seahawks' recent slide. Getting Charbonnet back would be a significant boost for an offense that has struggled to find consistency in the ground game.