Seahawks activate RB Zach Charbonnet from PUP list
Seattle Opens Roster Spot for Zach Charbonnet’s Return
Indiadailyupdate.com – The Seattle Seahawks have brought running back Zach Charbonnet back to the active roster, a significant step in his recovery from the ACL injury that sidelined him for much of the year. The move came Thursday, when Seattle activated the 25-year-old from the physically unable to perform list.
Charbonnet’s return gives the Seahawks another experienced option in their backfield as they prepare to host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. His activation does not automatically mean he will be in uniform or receive carries in that game, but it puts him in position to be considered after a full week of practice work.
To clear a place on the 53-man roster, Seattle moved tight end Elijah Arroyo to injured reserve because of a shoulder injury. Arroyo underwent surgery Thursday to repair the injury he suffered during last Thursday’s loss at Denver, ending his season.
Recovery Reaches Important Deadline
Charbonnet tore his ACL on Jan. 17 during Seattle’s NFC divisional-round victory over San Francisco. Nine months later, he has completed the process required to return from the PUP list. He resumed practicing on Oct. 1, beginning a 21-day window in which the Seahawks needed to activate him to the roster or rule him out for the remainder of the season.
Thursday was the final day of that period, and Seattle chose to add him back into its active group. The decision reflects the progress Charbonnet has made through rehabilitation following a major knee operation and leaves the coaching staff with the question of how quickly to incorporate him into game action.
Coach Mike Macdonald had indicated earlier in the week that a Sunday appearance was possible but not assured. The team will have the benefit of assessing Charbonnet’s workload in practice before determining whether he is ready for a role against Kansas City.
“Zach is going to have a full week's worth of reps, so that's exciting, and there's a possibility that you could see him on Sunday in some capacity, so that's exciting,” Macdonald said on Monday.
For a player returning from an ACL tear, activation is an important milestone rather than a guarantee of an immediate full workload. The Seahawks can evaluate his conditioning, comfort, and readiness while deciding how much responsibility to give him if he is available against the Chiefs.
A Productive Backfield Contributor
Before the injury, Charbonnet had established himself as a valuable contributor for Seattle. Last season, he led the club in rushing touchdowns and ranked second on the roster in rushing yards. His ability to produce near the goal line was a notable part of his value to the offense.
Since Seattle selected him in the second round of the 2023 draft, Charbonnet has played in 49 career games. He has accumulated 1,761 rushing yards and scored 21 rushing touchdowns. Those totals underline the experience he brings back to the roster, even as the team handles his return carefully after a lengthy absence.
Macdonald praised both the physical and mental demands of Charbonnet’s recovery, noting that the running back had targeted an aggressive timetable. Returning from a substantial knee injury requires more than reaching a calendar date; it also involves regaining the confidence needed to make decisive cuts, absorb contact, and perform at game speed.
“It's remarkable,” Macdonald said. “I know he's had a certain date in mind, which is a really ambitious date. Those who have tried to come back from a significant knee surgery understand the undertaking that it takes. Zach's a beast. He looks great. It's not easy to say, 'All right, let's go.' So for him to have that courage to say that and work through the things he's worked through, you can't do anything but tip your cap to him.”
The Seahawks now have flexibility as they determine Charbonnet’s next step. A limited role would allow him to experience game conditions without immediately placing the full burden of the running game on him. If he is not ready for Sunday night, his presence on the active roster still marks the conclusion of a crucial phase of his comeback.
Arroyo’s Season Ends After Shoulder Surgery
Seattle’s roster move also carries difficult news for Arroyo. The 23-year-old tight end injured his shoulder in the Denver game and will not return this season after undergoing surgery. His placement on injured reserve created the roster opening used for Charbonnet’s activation.
Arroyo appeared in six games this season and recorded one reception for 17 yards. Since Seattle drafted him in the second round in 2025, he has played in 19 games, producing 16 catches for 196 yards and one touchdown.
His absence removes a young tight end from Seattle’s available group at a point when the team is welcoming back a key running back. While the two transactions involve different positions, they illustrate the constant roster adjustments required during an NFL season, especially when injuries and recovery timelines converge.
For Seattle, the immediate focus turns to Sunday night’s matchup with Kansas City and Charbonnet’s availability. The running back has cleared a major procedural hurdle, completed his practice window, and returned to the 53-man roster. Whether he takes the field against the Chiefs remains a decision for the days ahead, but the Seahawks now have the option to use one of their most productive recent runners again.
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