Zach Charbonnet is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks. He is 25 years old in 2026, stands 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighs 220 pounds, and wears No. 26. Seattle selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft after a college career at Michigan and UCLA. Charbonnet then produced his best NFL season in 2025 with 730 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, helping Seattle during its Super Bowl LX-winning season before suffering a torn ACL in the playoffs. As of August 2026, he remains with the Seahawks but is recovering from knee surgery and began training camp on the physically unable to perform list.
Quick Bio of Zach Charbonnet
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Zach Charbonnet |
| Profession | NFL running back |
| Current team | Seattle Seahawks |
| Jersey number | No. 26 |
| Age in 2026 | 25 |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 220 lbs |
| College | Michigan, UCLA |
| NFL Draft | 2023, Round 2, Pick 52 |
| 2025 rushing yards | 730 |
| 2025 rushing touchdowns | 12 |
| Career rushing yards through 2025 | 1,761 |
| Major 2026 issue | Recovering from torn ACL |
| Current status | On PUP list entering 2026 camp |
Who Is Zach Charbonnet?
Zach Charbonnet is a professional running back for the Seattle Seahawks.
He entered the NFL in 2023 after becoming one of college football’s most productive running backs.
Seattle used a valuable second-round draft pick on him, selecting him 52nd overall.
At first, he shared the backfield with Kenneth Walker III.
That meant Charbonnet did not arrive as a traditional every-down starter.
Instead, Seattle used both backs.
Charbonnet brought a more physical style and quickly became useful in short-yardage situations, passing downs, and late-game rushing situations.
How Old Is Zach Charbonnet?
Zach Charbonnet is 25 years old in 2026.
The Seahawks’ current roster lists him at age 25.
Because NFL roster ages update throughout the year, current team information is more useful than older draft profiles.
How Tall Is Zach Charbonnet?
The Seahawks list Charbonnet at:
6 feet 1 inch
and
220 pounds.
That size helps explain his playing style.
He is big enough to run through contact but still athletic enough to catch passes and make plays in space.
What Position Does Zach Charbonnet Play?
Charbonnet plays running back.
He carries the ball, catches passes out of the backfield, blocks in pass protection, and can help in short-yardage situations.
Seattle has often used him as part of a committee rather than asking one running back to handle every touch.
What Number Does Zach Charbonnet Wear?
He wears No. 26 for Seattle.
The number appears on the Seahawks’ 2026 roster.
Is Zach Charbonnet Still With the Seahawks in 2026?
Yes.
Seattle’s active roster continues to list him as part of the organization in 2026.
However, he is not currently a normal healthy training-camp participant.
He is recovering from a serious knee injury.
What Happened to Zach Charbonnet?
Charbonnet tore his ACL during Seattle’s Divisional Round playoff win over the San Francisco 49ers in January 2026.
The injury happened in the second quarter.
Seattle initially hoped the problem might not be structurally serious, but further evaluation showed that Charbonnet had suffered a major knee injury requiring surgery.
That ended his postseason.
Did Zach Charbonnet Tear His ACL?
Yes.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald later confirmed that the injury was believed to be an ACL tear.
Seattle’s July 2026 update described it directly as a torn ACL.
He underwent surgery in February 2026.
Is Zach Charbonnet Injured Right Now?
Yes.
As of August 2026, Charbonnet is still recovering.
Seattle placed him on the physically unable to perform list, commonly called the PUP list, before training camp.
That does not automatically mean he will miss the entire season.
Players on the preseason PUP list can return to practice during camp once medically cleared.
Will Zach Charbonnet Play Week 1?
It appears unlikely, although Seattle has not officially ruled him out.
A recent Seahawks mailbag said that because his ACL surgery occurred in February, being ready for Week 1 seems unlikely.
The team is being careful rather than forcing a deadline.
ACL recovery can vary significantly from player to player.
When Will Zach Charbonnet Return?
There is no official return date yet.
Mike Macdonald has said he is encouraged by Charbonnet’s rehabilitation progress but has avoided setting a firm timetable.
That is sensible.
A running back returning from ACL surgery needs more than basic mobility.
He must regain:
- Acceleration
- Cutting ability
- Confidence
- Balance
- Contact tolerance
- Lower-body strength
Returning too early could create unnecessary risk.
How Did Zach Charbonnet Get Hurt?
The injury occurred during Seattle’s playoff game against San Francisco on January 17, 2026.
Charbonnet left in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return.
The Seahawks won the game, but Charbonnet’s postseason ended.
Did Zach Charbonnet Miss the Super Bowl?
Yes.
His injury happened before Seattle completed its postseason run.
The Seahawks’ official biography notes that Charbonnet played during Seattle’s Super Bowl LX-winning season but landed on injured reserve during the postseason.
So he was part of the championship team, even though the knee injury prevented him from finishing the playoff run on the field.
Did the Seahawks Win Super Bowl LX?
Yes.
Seattle won Super Bowl LX following the 2025 season.
The Seahawks’ current Charbonnet biography refers to the team’s 2025 season as a Super Bowl LX-winning season.
That made 2025 an important year in Charbonnet’s career despite the painful ending.
How Good Was Zach Charbonnet in 2025?
It was his best NFL season so far.
Charbonnet finished the regular season with:
184 carries
730 rushing yards
12 rushing touchdowns
4.0 yards per carry
He also caught 20 passes for 144 yards.
The touchdown number stands out most.
How Many Touchdowns Did Zach Charbonnet Score in 2025?
He scored 12 rushing touchdowns.
Seattle says he became the first Seahawks player since Marshawn Lynch in 2014 to record double-digit rushing touchdowns in a season.
That is a significant accomplishment.
Seattle has had many good running backs since Lynch, yet Charbonnet was the first in more than a decade to reach that mark.
Why Did Zach Charbonnet Score So Many Touchdowns?
Seattle used him heavily near the goal line.
The Seahawks’ situational statistics show that 11 of his 12 rushing touchdowns came when Seattle was inside the opponent’s 19-yard line.
His power makes him especially useful in crowded spaces.
When the field gets shorter, speed matters less and strength becomes more important.
That suits Charbonnet.
What Was Zach Charbonnet’s Best Game in 2025?
One strong late-season performance came against Carolina.
He rushed 18 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns in Seattle’s Week 17 victory.
That game showed he could handle a larger workload effectively.
Did Zach Charbonnet Improve Late in the Season?
Yes.
His December production was especially strong.
Seattle’s splits show that he rushed for 219 yards in four December games, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
He then added 74 yards and a touchdown in the final regular-season game against San Francisco.
That late improvement made his playoff injury even more frustrating.
What Are Zach Charbonnet’s Career NFL Stats?
Through the end of the 2025 regular season, Charbonnet had:
- 427 carries
- 1,761 rushing yards
- 21 rushing touchdowns
- 95 receptions
- 693 receiving yards
- 1 receiving touchdown
Those totals came across his first three NFL seasons.
How Did Zach Charbonnet Play as a Rookie?
In 2023, Charbonnet rushed:
108 times for 462 yards and one touchdown.
He also caught:
33 passes for 209 yards.
That showed early on that he could contribute in both the running and passing game.
How Did Zach Charbonnet Play in 2024?
His role increased.
He finished 2024 with:
135 carries
569 rushing yards
8 rushing touchdowns
He also caught 42 passes for 340 yards and one receiving touchdown.
That season set up his 2025 breakout.
Where Did Zach Charbonnet Go to College?
Charbonnet played college football at both:
Michigan
and
UCLA.
He began his career with the Michigan Wolverines.
Later, he transferred to UCLA.
Seattle lists UCLA as his college because that was his final school before entering the NFL.
Why Did Zach Charbonnet Transfer From Michigan to UCLA?
He wanted a larger role and returned closer to his home region.
At UCLA, his career took a major step forward.
He became one of the Pac-12’s top running backs and developed into a legitimate NFL prospect.
The move helped showcase his complete skill set.
Was Zach Charbonnet Good at UCLA?
Yes.
He became one of the best running backs in the conference.
His combination of size, vision, contact balance, and receiving ability attracted NFL attention.
By the time he declared for the draft, many analysts viewed him as one of the strongest running back prospects in the 2023 class.
When Was Zach Charbonnet Drafted?
Seattle selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He was the 52nd overall pick.
Using a second-round pick on a running back showed that Seattle had high expectations.
Why Did Seattle Draft Zach Charbonnet When It Already Had Kenneth Walker?
That became a major question at the time.
Kenneth Walker III had already shown promise.
But Seattle wanted depth and different running styles.
Walker brought explosiveness.
Charbonnet offered:
- Size
- Contact balance
- Receiving ability
- Pass protection
- Short-yardage value
The two backs could complement each other.
Is Kenneth Walker III Still With Seattle?
No.
Kenneth Walker III left Seattle in 2026 free agency and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
That creates a major opportunity for Charbonnet once he returns from injury.
For the first time, Walker is no longer blocking his path to the top of Seattle’s running-back depth chart.
Is Zach Charbonnet the Seahawks Starting Running Back?
Not officially right now.
His ACL recovery complicates the situation.
Seattle has several running backs competing while Charbonnet is unavailable, including:
- George Holani
- Emanuel Wilson
- Kenny McIntosh
- rookie Jadarian Price
However, the Seahawks have said Charbonnet will absolutely be in the mix for the No. 1 job when he returns.
Who Is Jadarian Price?
Jadarian Price is a 2026 first-round pick who has joined Seattle’s backfield.
The Seahawks expect him to compete for carries, especially while Charbonnet recovers.
That creates an interesting future situation.
Charbonnet may return to a backfield with another highly drafted player pushing for the same touches.
Could Zach Charbonnet Lose His Starting Opportunity?
Yes, because NFL roles are earned.
If another running back plays extremely well while Charbonnet is injured, Seattle may continue using a committee.
However, Charbonnet’s 12-touchdown season gives him a strong case for a major role once healthy.
The bigger question is how quickly he regains his pre-injury explosiveness.
What Kind of Running Back Is Zach Charbonnet?
Charbonnet is known for a physical, downhill style.
He runs through contact rather than avoiding every defender.
His strengths include:
- Power
- Balance
- Vision
- Short-yardage rushing
- Receiving
- Pass protection
He is not simply a goal-line back.
His receiving numbers prove he can contribute on passing downs too.
Is Zach Charbonnet Fast?
He has enough speed to create long gains, but pure breakaway speed is not his main strength.
His 2025 long run was 30 yards.
His game is built more around gaining extra yards after contact than outrunning everyone in the secondary.
Is Zach Charbonnet a Good Receiver?
Yes.
Through three NFL seasons, he already had 95 catches for 693 yards.
That makes him useful on third downs and in two-minute situations.
A running back who can both protect the quarterback and catch passes gives an offense more flexibility.
Why Is Zach Charbonnet Good Near the Goal Line?
His size and running style matter.
He does not need much space to gain two or three yards.
At the goal line, defenders know the run may be coming.
That means the running back must often win through strength and leverage rather than surprise.
Charbonnet is built for that.
Is Zach Charbonnet Similar to Marshawn Lynch?
Comparisons should be careful.
Marshawn Lynch had a much longer and more accomplished Seattle career.
However, both are physical runners who can punish tacklers.
Charbonnet’s 12 rushing touchdowns in 2025 also made him Seattle’s first double-digit rushing-touchdown player since Lynch in 2014.
That statistical connection is real.
Calling Charbonnet “the next Marshawn Lynch” would be much stronger than the evidence supports.
Did Zach Charbonnet Win a Super Bowl Ring?
As a member of Seattle’s 2025 championship roster, he was part of the Super Bowl LX-winning team.
His ACL injury prevented him from finishing the postseason on the field, but he contributed significantly during the regular season.
Why Is 2026 So Important for Zach Charbonnet?
This could become a defining year.
Before the injury, he had just completed his best season.
Kenneth Walker is now gone.
That could have opened the door for Charbonnet to become Seattle’s top back.
Instead, ACL rehab has delayed that opportunity.
So 2026 is now about two things:
getting healthy
and
reclaiming his role.
What Happens if Charbonnet Starts the Season on PUP?
There are two different stages of the PUP list.
During training camp, a player can return once cleared.
But if Charbonnet remains on PUP after final roster cuts, league rules would require him to miss at least the first four games.
Seattle explained that rule when announcing his placement on PUP in July.
That makes late-August medical progress important.
Has Zach Charbonnet Started Running Again?
Seattle reported that he was doing rehabilitation work on the field during minicamp.
Coach Mike Macdonald said Charbonnet was doing a good job with the rehab process.
That is encouraging.
But rehab exercises are very different from full-contact NFL football.
Did Zach Charbonnet Have Surgery?
Yes.
Seattle says he had surgery in February 2026 to repair the ACL injury.
That timing is one reason Week 1 is considered difficult.
How Long Does an ACL Injury Take to Recover From?
Recovery varies.
NFL players often need many months before returning to competition.
But medical recovery is not only about whether the ligament has healed.
A running back must be able to cut hard, absorb tackles, accelerate, and trust the knee completely.
That is why Seattle has avoided promising an exact date.
Is Zach Charbonnet Injury-Prone?
It would be unfair to label him injury-prone based mainly on one major ACL injury.
He played:
- 16 games in 2023
- 17 games in 2024
- 16 regular-season games in 2025
That is actually a solid availability record before the playoff injury.
What Is Zach Charbonnet’s Contract?
Charbonnet entered the NFL on his rookie contract after Seattle drafted him in 2023.
Exact salary-cap numbers can change with bonuses and contract accounting.
The important point for 2026 is that he remains under team control while approaching an important stage of his rookie deal.
His next healthy season could influence his long-term market value significantly.
What Is Zach Charbonnet’s Net Worth?
His exact personal net worth is not publicly verified.
NFL salary information can show contract earnings, but that does not tell us his actual wealth.
Net worth depends on:
- Taxes
- Investments
- Spending
- Endorsements
- Property
- Debt
So exact celebrity-net-worth numbers should be treated cautiously.
Does Zach Charbonnet Have a Girlfriend?
Charbonnet keeps his private life relatively quiet.
There is not enough reliable mainstream information to confidently identify a current partner.
For that reason, relationship claims from low-quality celebrity sites should not be treated as fact.
Does Zach Charbonnet Have Children?
There is no widely confirmed public information establishing children.
His public profile is focused mainly on football.
Private family details should not be guessed.
Zach Charbonnet Career Timeline
College: Begins at Michigan.
Later college years: Transfers to UCLA and becomes a top Pac-12 running back.
April 2023: Seattle drafts him in Round 2 with the 52nd overall pick.
2023: Rushes for 462 yards as a rookie.
2024: Produces 569 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
2025: Breakout season with 730 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
January 17, 2026: Suffers serious knee injury against San Francisco.
January 23: Placed on injured reserve.
February 2026: Undergoes ACL surgery.
July 22, 2026: Seattle places him on the PUP list before training camp.
August 2026: Continues rehab while Seattle evaluates its new-look running-back group.
Common Misunderstandings About Zach Charbonnet
One common mistake is saying Charbonnet is no longer with Seattle.
He remains on the Seahawks roster.
Another mistake is calling his knee injury minor.
It was a torn ACL that required surgery.
A third mistake is saying Kenneth Walker remains Seattle’s starter ahead of him.
Walker left for Kansas City in 2026 free agency.
Another error is saying Charbonnet started every game in 2025.
Seattle’s official statistics list him with zero regular-season starts despite 184 carries, reflecting how heavily the Seahawks used multiple backs.
Finally, his 2025 production should not be understated.
Twelve rushing touchdowns were the most by a Seattle player since Marshawn Lynch’s double-digit touchdown season in 2014.
Final Thoughts
Zach Charbonnet enters 2026 at an unusual point in his career.
On one hand, his opportunity has never looked bigger.
Kenneth Walker III has left Seattle.
Charbonnet just completed a career-best season with 730 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
He became the first Seahawks player since Marshawn Lynch in 2014 to score double-digit rushing touchdowns in a season.
On the other hand, his biggest challenge is now physical.
A torn ACL suffered during Seattle’s playoff run required surgery and placed him on the PUP list entering 2026 training camp.
Seattle is not rushing him back.
That is the right approach.
If Charbonnet returns healthy, he has a realistic chance to compete for the lead role in the Seahawks backfield.
But rookie Jadarian Price, George Holani, Emanuel Wilson, and others will not simply wait for him.
That makes his comeback one of Seattle’s most interesting 2026 storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Zach Charbonnet?
Zach Charbonnet is an NFL running back for the Seattle Seahawks.
How old is Zach Charbonnet?
The Seahawks currently list him as 25 years old.
How tall is Zach Charbonnet?
He is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 220 pounds.
What number does Zach Charbonnet wear?
He wears No. 26 for Seattle.
Where did Zach Charbonnet go to college?
He played at Michigan before transferring to UCLA.
When was Zach Charbonnet drafted?
Seattle selected him in the second round with the 52nd overall pick in 2023.
What were Zach Charbonnet’s 2025 stats?
He rushed 184 times for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Did Zach Charbonnet tear his ACL?
Yes. He tore his ACL during Seattle’s playoff win over San Francisco in January 2026.
Did Zach Charbonnet have surgery?
Yes. He underwent ACL surgery in February 2026.
Is Zach Charbonnet playing in Week 1 of 2026?
He has not officially been ruled out, but Seattle reporting says a Week 1 return appears unlikely.
Is Zach Charbonnet on the PUP list?
Yes. Seattle placed him on the physically unable to perform list before 2026 training camp.
Is Kenneth Walker still with the Seahawks?
No. Walker signed with Kansas City in 2026 free agency.
Could Zach Charbonnet become Seattle’s starting running back?
Yes. Seattle says he will be in the mix for the No. 1 role once healthy.
Did Zach Charbonnet win a Super Bowl?
He was part of Seattle’s Super Bowl LX-winning 2025 season, although his ACL injury ended his personal postseason early.
What are Zach Charbonnet’s career rushing stats?
Through 2025, he had 1,761 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns.
For more info, visit Novra Magazine.