Seattle Seahawks sophomore running back Zach Charbonnet received the opportunity to start in place of the injured Kenneth Walker in last Sunday’s overtime victory over the New England Patriots. Charbonnet was not particularly effective. The former UCLA standout was limited to 38 yards and 2.7 yards per carry via 14 rushing attempts. He did score a touchdown, but play-to-play consistency wasn’t there.
Charbonnet also encountered little running room to operate with in Week 1. Though he worked as a change-of-pace option in that game, he managed just 12 yards, 1.5 per eight carries. Charbonnet scored a receiving touchdown, but ground-game effectiveness remained elusive.
Charbonnet is seemingly going to receive his second consecutive opportunity to start. Workhorse back Kenneth Walker hasn’t practiced all week and appears primed to miss his second straight game with an oblique injury. Barring a surprise, it’ll be Charbonnet carrying the workload versus the Miami Dolphins in Sunday’s Week 3 affair.
Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III missed practice for a second straight day. Looking like another Zach Charbonnet start could be on the way.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 19, 2024
The Dolphins defense has enjoyed middling results versus the run. First-year defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has watched his unit allow a 15th-best 118 rushing yards per contest. That indicates they possess the advantage over the Seahawks’ 24th-ranked rushing attack (96.0/game).
Charbonnet hasn’t completely seized his chance to start in place of Walker, but he has managed touchdowns in back-to-back games. Another opportunity looms large versus a competent Dolphins defense on Sunday. It’ll be worth monitoring if Charbonnet fares better.
