Seahawks Provide Injury Updates on Zach Charbonnet, Tory Horton After Super Bowl Run
The Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl LX without two key young playmakers.
Now the focus shifts to getting them back.
Head coach Mike Macdonald provided updates at the NFL Scouting Combine on running back Zach Charbonnet and wide receiver/returner Tory Horton — and while there’s optimism, patience will be required.
🏃 Zach Charbonnet: “More Optimistic Than Initially”
Charbonnet tore his ACL in the Divisional Round against the 49ers, a brutal blow during Seattle’s playoff push.
He underwent surgery after the season, and Macdonald acknowledged progress — but cautioned against rushing the timeline.
“It’s more optimistic than it was initially,” Macdonald said.
“If you’re betting on anybody, you’re going to bet on Zach… But he’s not going to do anything in the spring.”
That means no OTAs. No early offseason work.
Charbonnet’s recovery timeline will likely stretch into training camp — possibly beyond.
His status carries even more weight because:
- Kenneth Walker III is a pending free agent
- Charbonnet would be the presumed lead back if Walker departs
Seattle’s backfield decisions just got more complicated.
🎯 Tory Horton: Still Working Through It
Horton’s season ended after Week 9 with a serious shin injury.
Before going down, he flashed big-play ability:
- 13 catches
- 161 receiving yards
- 5 touchdowns
- 1 punt return TD
Not bad for half a season.
Macdonald kept the update brief:
“He got fixed up too… We’re just working through it. He’s not going to do anything in the spring.”
Like Charbonnet, Horton won’t participate in offseason activities.
🔄 The Rashid Shaheed Effect
Horton’s injury directly influenced Seattle’s midseason trade for Rashid Shaheed — a move that paid off massively.
Shaheed delivered:
- 3 return touchdowns
- Immediate special teams impact
- Reliable receiving production during the playoff run
Without him, Seattle’s Super Bowl path gets much tougher.
Now the Seahawks face another decision:
- Re-sign Shaheed?
- Bank on Horton’s return?
- Or keep both and build elite depth?
Given Horton’s uncertain timeline, letting Shaheed walk would be risky.
🧠 Bigger Offseason Questions
Seattle’s championship core is intact, but cracks in depth are forming.
- Walker’s free agency
- Charbonnet’s ACL recovery
- Horton’s rehab
- Return-game stability
Macdonald’s updates were cautiously positive — but not definitive.
The Seahawks survived 2025 adversity.
To repeat in 2026, they’ll need their young weapons healthy.
And they’ll need smart roster decisions while they wait.
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