Zach Charbonnet Tore ACL; 2026 in Question?

What They're Saying

Madonald, via Maura Dooley of SeattleSports.com: "Breaks your heart. He's going to need surgery, so he's got a good long road to come back."

Fantasy Football Impact

Charbonnet's injury occurred less than eight months ahead of Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. That makes it likely to challenge his readiness for the opener. We could even be looking at Charbs beginning the season on the physically unable to perform list. That would sideline him for at least the first four games.

So Charbonnet will be a risky pick at any point in 2026 drafts, at least until we get well into summer and start getting a better idea of when he might be ready.

The bigger fantasy question now becomes: What does Seattle do at RB?

Kenneth Walker III is set to hit free agency in March. He looked like a near-lock to hit the open market just a week ago. Does Charbonnet's injury meaningfully change that outlook?

Sure, a re-signed Walker would face a much clearer path to opening 2026 as Seattle's lead back. And that's the final year on the contract of Charbonnet, a second-round pick in 2023. That expiring contract could certainly make Seattle a more attractive spot for Walker.

Of course, we'll also need to see if the team's willing to meet his price. Walker just turned 25 in October and will hit the market for the first time. This is very likely to be the biggest contract he gets at any point in his NFL career. So there would be understandable motivation to max it out.

Wherever Walker lands, he used his first game of these playoffs to flash the potential upside. We'll see if his situation -- and ADP -- make Walker worth targeting for your 2026 rosters.

Dynasty Impact

The injury plus the Walker decision suddenly make Charbonnet's dynasty outlook murkier than it seemed recently.

When we were expecting Walker to leave, Charbs would likely get a clearer path to 2026 work ahead of his own shot at the open market.

Now he'll likely get a 2026 campaign limited to at least some degree. And if Walker returns, it would likely be on a contract that sets him up as more of a backfield leader than co-star (as he played in 2025).

Unfortunately, you probably don't have much choice but to sit on Charbonnet in dynasty for now if you have him.