Why Zach Charbonnet is not playing as Seattle Seahawks face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX

When the Seattle Seahawks walk onto the field to face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Sunday, one familiar name will be missing from the lineup. Zach Charbonnet will not be playing, and his absence matters.

Charbonnet has been part of Seattle’s offense all season. He shared carries with Kenneth Walker III and helped keep the running game steady when the team needed balance. So when fans noticed he was not listed as active for the biggest game of the year, questions followed quickly.The answer comes straight down to health, Zach Charbonnet is still recovering from a serious knee injury he suffered during the playoffs. Because of that injury, the Seahawks never planned on him returning in time for the Super Bowl.

The team made the call early, and nothing changed leading into Sunday. This decision is not about performance, effort, or coaching preference. It is about protecting a player who is not yet physically ready to return.

For Seattle, the priority is making sure Charbonnet heals fully before thinking about football again.

Zach Charbonnet injury update and how it impacts Seattle’s running back plans

The injury happened late in the game, and he was ruled out shortly after. The Seahawks later confirmed the diagnosis, which officially ended his postseason run.An ACL injury usually takes around nine months to heal. That timeline means Charbonnet is unlikely to be ready when the 2026 season begins. A return sometime in October is considered realistic, assuming there are no setbacks during rehab.This creates a bigger question for Seattle going forward. Kenneth Walker III is set to become a free agent, and the team has not announced whether they plan to bring him back.

If Walker leaves and Charbonnet is still recovering, the Seahawks could enter next season short on proven running backs.Even if Walker returns, Seattle may still look to add depth. That could come through free agency or the draft. The good news for the Seahawks is money. According to Spotrac, Seattle is expected to have strong salary cap space heading into 2026, giving them room to make moves if needed.For now, though, the focus stays on Sunday’s game. Zach Charbonnet will be watching from the sidelines, supporting his teammates while working toward a full and careful recovery.