Zach Charbonnet could return vs. Bears, dazn.com reports

Running back Zach Charbonnet could make his season debut for the Seattle Seahawks against the Chicago Bears on the November 2, 2026, Monday Night Football broadcast, eight months after undergoing surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in February, dazn.com reported.

Activated to the main roster on October 22, 2026, the running back did not play in the team’s victory against Kansas City. Coach Mike Macdonald stated that his absence was not due to a setback. Macdonald expects a full week of training before deciding if Charbonnet can return to competition.

Return Timeline and Roster Decisions for Seattle

Returning to the main roster did not automatically mean returning to the field. Charbonnet resumed training on October 1, 2026, opening a 21-day window during which Seattle could evaluate his progress without adding him to the 53-man roster. The Seahawks ultimately activated him on October 22 before ruling him out against Kansas City, despite his full participation in practice that week.

When asked by reporters if a setback occurred, Macdonald stated, No ha habido ninguna recaída, presenting the decision as a stage in the recovery program with a new evaluation scheduled for the following week. While the possibility of playing against Chicago exists, participation remains unconfirmed, as returning to practice and being active for a game are two distinct steps.

Seattle Builds Rushing Depth as Charbonnet Returns

Seattle prepares for this potential return following an encouraging performance in a 20-3 victory over the Chiefs, where the team totaled 153 rushing yards. Emanuel Wilson recorded 100 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown, including a 21-yard run into the end zone in the fourth quarter. Wilson has accumulated 403 yards on 111 carries this season, averaging approximately 3.6 yards per attempt. Charbonnet’s return is framed as a way to build a deeper rotation rather than an immediate replacement for Wilson.

During the 2025 season, Charbonnet rushed for 730 yards on 184 carries and scored 12 rushing touchdowns, providing Seattle with an option for closing drives and short-yardage situations. A deeper rotation would distribute carries and reduce reliance on a single player.

Roster Status of Jadarian Price

Charbonnet is not the only running back whose recovery the team is monitoring. Rookie Jadarian Price, who has missed four games on the injured reserve list due to a chest injury, is also scheduled to resume training. Macdonald indicated that both players could potentially return against Chicago, though only one or neither might ultimately participate, leaving the exact distribution of carries against the Bears uncertain.

Additional factors influence the offense, including the recovery timeline for left tackle Charles Cross from an ankle injury. Team decisions will depend on the upcoming week of preparation rather than guarantees of immediate production.