Zach Charbonnet has become an important part of the Seattle Seahawks' running back room since entering the NFL in 2023. Known for his physical running style, balance, patience and ability to contribute as a receiver, the former UCLA standout has steadily developed into one of Seattle's most reliable offensive players.
His journey, however, has taken an unexpected turn heading into the 2026 NFL season. After producing the best rushing season of his professional career in 2025, Charbonnet suffered a significant knee injury during Seattle's playoff run. The injury eventually required surgery and has affected his availability at the beginning of the new season.
Despite that setback, his previous performances show why the Seahawks continue to view him as an important piece of their offense.
Who Is Zach Charbonnet?
Zach Charbonnet is an NFL running back who plays for the Seattle Seahawks. He was born on January 8, 2001, in Bellflower, California, and attended Oaks Christian School before beginning his college career at Michigan.
Charbonnet eventually transferred to UCLA, where his career really took off. At UCLA, he established himself as a powerful and productive runner, recording consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and finishing his college career with impressive rushing numbers.
The Seahawks selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 52nd overall pick. Seattle saw him as a player capable of complementing Kenneth Walker III while also providing the offense with another dependable option in the backfield.
According to the Seahawks, Charbonnet stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 220 pounds. His combination of size and athleticism has helped him develop into a physical runner who can handle difficult situations between the tackles.
Zach Charbonnet's College Career
Before becoming an NFL player, Zach Charbonnet built a strong reputation in college football.
He began his college career with Michigan, playing during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. After transferring to UCLA, he became one of the Bruins' leading offensive weapons.
During his two seasons at UCLA, Charbonnet showed why NFL scouts were interested in his skill set. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in both of his seasons with the Bruins. His 2022 campaign was particularly impressive, as he finished with 1,379 rushing yards.
The Seahawks' official player biography credits Charbonnet with 3,422 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns over his college career at Michigan and UCLA. He also became one of UCLA's most productive runners during his time with the program.
His 2022 season helped establish him as one of the most highly regarded running backs entering the NFL Draft. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 by the conference's coaches and Pro Football Focus and was also a second-team Associated Press All-American as an all-purpose player.
Zach Charbonnet Enters the NFL
Seattle selected Charbonnet 52nd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Joining a backfield that already featured Kenneth Walker III meant Charbonnet did not immediately receive the workload of a traditional starting running back. Instead, he had to learn the professional game while sharing opportunities.
His rookie season gave Seahawks fans a glimpse of what he could eventually become. Charbonnet appeared in all 16 regular-season games, making two starts. He finished the season with 108 rushing attempts for 462 yards and one rushing touchdown.
He also demonstrated that he could contribute in the passing game, catching 33 passes for 209 yards during his rookie campaign.
One of his early memorable performances came against the Dallas Cowboys in November 2023. He recorded career highs in carries and rushing yards at the time while also catching a long pass, showing the versatility that Seattle valued when drafting him.
Breakout Opportunities in 2024
The following season gave Charbonnet a larger role.
Kenneth Walker III missed time because of injury, creating an opportunity for Charbonnet to receive more carries. He appeared in all 17 games and made six starts.
Charbonnet responded with a career-high 569 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. When receiving production is included, he finished the season with nine total touchdowns.
One of his best performances came against the Arizona Cardinals in December 2024. Charbonnet rushed 22 times for 134 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, and scored two touchdowns.
That game demonstrated what he could do when given a larger workload. Rather than simply being a backup, he showed that he could carry an offense for stretches when necessary.
His ability to run through contact was particularly valuable. Charbonnet is not usually described as a player who depends solely on speed. Instead, he combines power, vision and balance to create positive yardage.
Zach Charbonnet's Best NFL Season So Far
The 2025 season represented a major step forward for Zach Charbonnet.
He played 16 regular-season games and established career highs in rushing attempts, rushing yards and touchdowns. He carried the ball 184 times for 730 yards, averaging 4.0 yards per carry, while scoring 12 rushing touchdowns.
His 12 rushing touchdowns were especially significant for Seattle. According to the Seahawks, Charbonnet became the first Seahawks player since Marshawn Lynch in 2014 to record double-digit rushing touchdowns in a season.
He also contributed 20 receptions for 144 yards.
Although Kenneth Walker III remained a major part of Seattle's running game, Charbonnet's production gave the team a powerful second option. His presence made it possible for the Seahawks to use different personnel combinations and keep their running game productive throughout the season.
The 2025 campaign also ended with the biggest achievement of Charbonnet's young NFL career. Seattle won Super Bowl LX, giving Charbonnet his first NFL championship.
Zach Charbonnet Injury Update
The biggest question surrounding Zach Charbonnet heading into the 2026 season is his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Charbonnet suffered the injury during Seattle's divisional-round playoff victory over the San Francisco 49ers in January 2026. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald described the injury as significant and said Charbonnet would need surgery. The injury ended his postseason.
The timing was particularly unfortunate because Charbonnet had just completed the strongest regular season of his career.
Seattle ultimately placed him on the physically unable to perform list to begin the 2026 season. That means he will miss at least the first four games of the season before he can potentially return.
The situation changes Seattle's backfield plans at the beginning of the year. Rookie running back Jadarian Price is expected to receive an increased workload while Charbonnet is unavailable, with George Holani also providing depth.
For Charbonnet, the priority is now completing his rehabilitation and returning to the field without rushing the process.
What Makes Zach Charbonnet Effective?
There are several characteristics that make Charbonnet an intriguing NFL running back.
Physical Running Style
Charbonnet has the size to run through contact. At 220 pounds, he can absorb hits and continue moving forward. His physical approach can be especially useful near the goal line and in short-yardage situations.
His 12 rushing touchdowns in 2025 demonstrated how effective he can be around the end zone.
Balance and Contact Ability
One of Charbonnet's strengths is his ability to remain upright after initial contact. He does not always need a large running lane to create useful yardage.
This quality becomes particularly important late in games when defenses know a team wants to run the football.
Receiving Ability
Charbonnet is not limited to rushing plays. During his first three NFL seasons, he caught 95 passes for 693 yards.
His receiving production gives Seattle another way to use him. A running back who can contribute as both a runner and receiver creates more flexibility for an offensive coordinator.
Goal-Line Production
Scoring touchdowns is one of the clearest improvements in Charbonnet's professional career.
After scoring one rushing touchdown as a rookie, he recorded eight in 2024 and 12 in 2025. That progression shows how his role and confidence developed over time.
Zach Charbonnet Career Stats
Through the 2025 regular season, Charbonnet had appeared in 49 games and made eight starts.
He accumulated 427 rushing attempts for 1,761 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, with 21 rushing touchdowns. In the passing game, he recorded 95 receptions for 693 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Those numbers show a player who has steadily increased his impact.
His rushing production by season tells an interesting story. He went from 462 yards as a rookie to 569 yards in his second season and then reached 730 yards in 2025.
The increase in carries has played an important role in that growth, but so has his ability to take advantage of opportunities.
How Important Is Charbonnet to the Seahawks?
Charbonnet has become more than just a backup running back.
Seattle's offense benefits from having multiple capable runners, particularly because the NFL season is long and injuries are common. A player like Charbonnet gives the team a reliable option when the primary running back is unavailable.
His production in 2024 proved that he can handle a larger workload. His 2025 season went further by showing that he can become a consistent touchdown producer.
The challenge for Seattle in 2026 will be managing the backfield until Charbonnet is healthy enough to return.
The Seahawks currently have to balance short-term production with long-term health. Since Charbonnet is coming back from a major knee injury, the team has every reason to be cautious with his workload.
What Can Fans Expect When He Returns?
Assuming Charbonnet successfully completes his rehabilitation and is medically cleared, his return could significantly strengthen Seattle's backfield.
He enters the season coming off a career year, so expectations will naturally be high.
However, his workload may initially be managed. Returning from knee surgery is not simply about being cleared to play. A player must regain strength, confidence, explosiveness and conditioning.
For Charbonnet, getting back to his previous level may take time.
The positive side is that he already demonstrated his potential before the injury. His 2025 numbers provide evidence that he can be an effective NFL running back when healthy.
Zach Charbonnet's Future in Seattle
The next stage of Charbonnet's career could be particularly important.
He has already shown improvement in each of his first three seasons. The question now is whether he can return from his knee injury and continue that upward trajectory.
Seattle will likely continue valuing his physical running style and versatility. His ability to share a backfield with another talented runner also gives the team flexibility.
If he returns healthy, Charbonnet could once again become a major contributor to Seattle's rushing attack.
His story is a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change in professional football. Just months after recording career-best numbers and winning a Super Bowl, he is now focused on rehabilitation and getting back on the field.
Final Thoughts
Zach Charbonnet's NFL career has already included several important milestones. He progressed from a second-round draft pick to a dependable member of the Seahawks' backfield, improved his production each season and recorded a career-high 12 rushing touchdowns during Seattle's championship-winning 2025 campaign.
His current injury is undoubtedly a setback, but it does not erase what he accomplished before it.
The immediate priority is his recovery. Seattle has already prepared for his absence by adjusting its running back depth chart, while Charbonnet works toward a return.
When he eventually steps back onto the field, there will be considerable interest in how quickly he can regain his previous form. If his past development is any indication, the Seahawks will hope that this is simply another chapter in the career of a running back who has continued to improve since arriving in the NFL.
FAQs About Zach Charbonnet
1. Who is Zach Charbonnet?
Zach Charbonnet is a professional NFL running back for the Seattle Seahawks. He was selected by Seattle in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft after playing college football at Michigan and UCLA.
2. How old is Zach Charbonnet?
Zach Charbonnet was born on January 8, 2001. He is 25 years old as of September 2026. The Seahawks list his height at 6-foot-1 and his weight at 220 pounds.
3. What are Zach Charbonnet's career NFL stats?
Through the 2025 regular season, Charbonnet had 427 rushing attempts for 1,761 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. He also recorded 95 receptions for 693 yards and one receiving touchdown.
4. What happened to Zach Charbonnet?
Charbonnet suffered a significant knee injury during Seattle's January 2026 playoff victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The injury required surgery and ended his postseason. He began the 2026 season on the PUP list and is required to miss at least the first four games.
5. When could Zach Charbonnet return?
Because Charbonnet began the 2026 season on the physically unable to perform list, he must miss at least the first four games. His actual return will depend on his rehabilitation, medical clearance and readiness to play.
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