Seahawks’ Zach Charbonnet Still Unlikely to Return for Week 6 at Denver, Coach Says

Seattle enters its Week 6 matchup at Denver without a clear path back for running back Zach Charbonnet. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said it is unlikely that Charbonnet will return from the physically unable to perform list ahead of Thursday’s game, a status that would keep the team short in its backfield rotation.

Charbonnet’s continued placement on the physically unable to perform list indicates that the Seahawks have not yet seen the right progress to remove him from practice and game-availability limitations. While the team did not outline specific medical details in the statement, Macdonald’s comment framed the decision as a matter of timing rather than uncertainty about his role.

For Seattle, the practical impact is roster planning. Charbonnet’s absence would mean more carries and snap responsibility for the players Seattle has available in the run game, along with adjustments to how the Seahawks manage different down-and-distance situations. That kind of reshuffling can also affect play design for the rest of the offense, particularly if the team has been building packages around a particular runner’s traits.

The Seahawks’ next game at Denver is on a short week, which tends to tighten the margin for any player coming back from a restriction. Macdonald’s tone, as presented by the team, suggested the coaching staff is preparing as if Charbonnet will not be available, even if the door is not described as fully closed for the longer term.

There is also a broader discipline component to the physically unable to perform list that is easy to overlook. Once a player is placed on the list, teams have to follow league procedures and timelines to remove him, which can turn what begins as a minor setback into a multi-week window. That makes the list a roster lever as much as it is an availability status.

Charbonnet’s situation now shifts to weekly updates: whether Seattle provides any indication that his progress has changed enough for removal from the list before the next game after Denver. For fans, the key question will be when, if at all, practice participation changes in a way the team can translate into game readiness.

If Charbonnet remains out, Seattle’s Week 6 plan will likely prioritize stability in the backfield while protecting the rest of the offensive rhythm. The Seahawks will be watching not only touches and rushing volume, but also how effectively they can run enough to keep Denver’s defense from dictating coverage and pass rush timing.