The Seattle Seahawks will face the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night without starting running back Zach Charbonnet, Head Coach Mike Macdonald announced Friday.
Linebackers Drake Thomas and Chazz Surratt have also been ruled out for the Week 7 matchup, leaving Seattle short-handed on both sides of the ball as the team attempts to bounce back from consecutive defeats to the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos, SB Nation reported.
Charbonnet sidelined despite full practice week
Charbonnet tore his ACL during a playoff victory against the 49ers in January and began practicing again on Oct. 1, according to NBC Sports. The fourth-year back was activated from the physically unable to perform list this week before his 21-day evaluation window closed on Oct. 22, Sports Illustrated reported.
Despite participating fully in practice Wednesday through Friday, Charbonnet will watch from the sidelines. Macdonald told reporters that the running back did not experience a physical setback, explaining that holding him out was intended as part of his long-term recovery timetable.
“Plan was to get a great week’s worth of work and see where we’re at,” Macdonald said Friday, as reported by NBC Sports. “We’re going to take it into next week. It’s part of the plan.”
Without Charbonnet, Seattle has leaned on Emanuel Wilson and George Holani to share backfield duties. SB Nation noted that the Seahawks rank 18th in rushing yards per contest and lead the NFL with six fumbles. The matchup carries extra significance as Seattle faces its former running back, Kenneth Walker III, who departed in free agency and currently leads the league with 665 rushing yards and six touchdowns for Kansas City.
Roster concerns mount on defense
Seattle also faces potential absences across its defense and passing game. Safety Nick Emmanwori was designated as questionable after experiencing hip discomfort during Friday drills, Macdonald confirmed, though the coach stopped short of classifying it as an injury.
Several other Seahawks are questionable for Sunday night:
- Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who was limited by a knee issue
- Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, dealing with a hip injury
- Linebacker Connor O’Toole, sidelined by a hamstring ailment
- Backup quarterback Drew Lock, navigating a throwing elbow problem
On the offensive line, starting right guard Anthony Bradford carries no injury designation after being activated from injured reserve and is set to play, according to Seahawks Wire.
The Chiefs enter Sunday night with several absences of their own. Kansas City ruled out top wide receiver Rashee Rice due to a hamstring injury, offensive tackle Jaylon Moore with a concussion, and running back Brashard Smith with a hamstring issue, SB Nation reported. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and linebacker Cooper McDonald are listed as questionable.
Both franchises must submit their final list of inactive players at 3:50 p.m. PT on Sunday prior to kickoff.
