Zach Charbonnet Injury Update Makes Seahawks Rookie Jadarian Price Even More Important

Jadarian Price believes he is ready for the spotlight with the Seattle Seahawks.

Running back Jadarian Price during Notre Dame football's Pro Day at Irish Athletic Center on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in South Bend. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

This offseason has been difficult for the Seattle Seahawks, as one of the reasons for their Super Bowl run in running back Kenneth Walker III left via free agency for the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, they have even more issues after it was announced that Zach Charbonnet would start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

This is one step closer for Charbonnet to return from his knee injury, but he might still need some more time to recover. It will be clear that the Seahawks want to utilize Jadarian Price and Charbonnet similiar to the running back room from the last few seasons.

Price, the No. 32 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is vastly different compared to Walker.

Price isn’t above the Seahawks’ offense

Jun 9, 2026; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) during minicamp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Price made an appearance on NFL Network’s The Insider to talk about his fresh NFL journey and his excitement for the upcoming rookie season. Among the biggest topics discussed was Seattle going from Walker to Price and how different he would be.

He will likely earn more reps in the first half of the season with Zach Charbonnet recovering from an ACL injury. Despite the expected high reps early in the season, Price said he is ready for 30 carries, or 15 carries a game.

He is accustomed to playing in a multiple running back system at Notre Dame with Heisman Trophy finalist Jeremiyah Love, who is now with the Arizona Cardinals. Price said he and Love would always try to help and build each other while at Notre Dame. Finally, he said he is looking forward to working more with a Seahawks team that goes for process than results.

This is a huge difference from Walker, who consistently let his frustrations be known about splitting the backfield with Charbonnet. Walker showing his value without Charbonnet for most of the playoffs and claiming Super Bowl MVP was enough for Walker to believe he is above the offense.

The spotlight isn’t too big for Price with Charbonnet out

Jan 3, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) rushes the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There will be a spotlight on Price this upcoming season. Going from the No. 2 running back of an elite rushing offense in college to the No. 1 back in the NFL is a big leap.

Price said that the spotlight will be a lot to handle, but playing in the NFL is enough to overcome that small negative mentality. He also said that he felt more comfortable when he got to the Seahawks’ facility to work during OTAs, minicamp, and, now, the rookie training camp.

Price is 100% healthy and has already learned a lot during the long offseason. He will get a chance to learn a lot more during the team training camp, where he will get a chance to earn the starting running back job.

With Walker gone and Charbonnet recovering from an injury, Price is the favorite over third-year veteran George Holani and former Green Bay Packers powerback Emanuel Wilson. That spotlight could help him become the league’s offensive rookie of the year.

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