The Seattle Seahawks lost Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026 free agency.
Seattle invested a first-round pick in Notre Dame product Jadarian Price to help replace him. The idea was to have Price work in tandem with Walker's long-time foil, Zach Charbonnet, and create a solid one-two punch at running back.
So far, that dream hasn't materialized. Charbonnet hasn't yet played while recovering from a torn ACL suffered during Seattle's Super Bowl run. Meanwhile, Price was placed on injured reserve (IR) before Week 4 because of a chest injury.
That has led the Seahawks to utilize a handful of lesser-known running backs to open the 2026 NFL season. Here's what to know about Seattle's running back rotation, when Price
and Charbonnet could return and why the team considered signing Joe Mixon to a contract.
Who is the Seahawks starting RB?
Emanuel Wilson is serving as the Seahawks' starting running back with Price and Charbonnet out of the lineup. The 27-year-old signed with the Seahawks as a free agent after spending his first three NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
Wilson went undrafted out of Fort Valley State in 2023 and originally signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent. After a three-day tenure in Denver, Wilson landed in Green Bay and eventually established himself as a solid backup for the Packers. He racked up 242 carries for 1,083 yards and seven touchdowns over his three years with the Packers, appearing in 41 games with two starts.
The Seahawks thought highly enough of Wilson (5-10, 226 pounds) to give him a one-year deal worth just under $1.6 million. He was expected to be a backup in Seattle but has comported himself well in the wake of the team's injuries, generating 301 total yards and three touchdowns on 78 touches.
Wilson figures to continue as Seattle's lead back until either Price or Charbonnet can return to the lineup.
Seahawks RB depth chart
The Seahawks have three healthy running backs on their 53-man roster. They are as follows.
- Emanuel Wilson
- George Holani
- Robert Henry Jr.
Holani has served as the complement to Wilson amid Seattle's running back injuries. The fourth-year veteran has generated just 77 yards on 26 carries but has been better as a pass-catcher, logging 11 catches for 76 yards. He is Seattle's preferred third-down back because of that and his blocking abilities.
Meanwhile, Henry, an undrafted rookie, hasn't yet played a snap for the Seahawks since being signed off the Washington Commanders' practice squad ahead of Week 5. He was inactive against the San Francisco 49ers, with veteran Velus Jones Jr. serving as Seattle's third-string running back.
Jones was cut from the 53-man roster ahead of Week 6 and signed to the practice squad. It isn't clear whether he will be elevated to continue in his role as the third-stringer or if Henry will eventually be granted the opportunity to operate in such a role.
The Seahawks also have Dontae McMillan, an undrafted rookie from Eastern Michigan, on their practice squad.
While the Seahawks have an established pecking order at running back for now, it could change considerably once their top players return to the lineup.
Jadarian Price injury update
Price was placed on IR with a chest injury ahead of Week 4. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald referred to Price's injury as an "aggravation" of a previous chest problem when he was placed on IR.
The good news for Seahawks fans? Price isn't expected to be out for the season, as Seattle general manager John Schneider said in an Oct. 4 appearance on Seattle Sports.
Schneider said in that interview the team doesn't "see (Price's injury) as a season-ending thing at all," though he declined to put a definitive timeline on the rookie running back's return.
Still, Price will not be eligible to return to the field until Week 8 at the earliest.
Zach Charbonnet injury update
Charbonnet remains out of action for the Seahawks while continuing to recover from a torn ACL.
Macdonald said ahead of Week 6 that Seattle was not planning to have him available against the Broncos. He also implied the team was taking a measured approach with the 25-year-old running back's return.
"We have to have consensus from all parties that he's ready to go," Macdonald said of Charbonnet. "That he's the most confident and ready to go. That he's had enough exposure to go play an NFL game. Those are the variables at play here."
While Charbonnet isn't playing in Week 6, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports the veteran has a "legitimate chance" to suit up in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Is Joe Mixon on the Seahawks?
The Seahawks were originally going to sign Mixon to their practice squad after Price's injury. However, Seattle decided not to go through with the signing after the veteran running back underwent a physical with the team.
Mixon missed the entire 2025 NFL season while dealing with the aftermath of a "freak" foot injury. The two-time Pro Bowler, who rushed for 1,016 yards in 2024, remains unsigned.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Breaking down Seahawks RB depth chart without Price, Charbonnet
