With Zach Charbonnet out the rest of the season, the Seattle Seahawks could use a little boost at running back. The team might get one in George Holani.
The Seahawks designated Holani to return from injured reserve Wednesday, which allowed him to return to practice.
Seattle could activate Holani before Sunday’s NFC championship game. That would allow the second-year running back to play for the first time since November 23.
Holani has only carried the ball 25 times in his NFL career. But he would be quality depth behind Kenneth Walker for the biggest home game of the season.
“Holani, who opened the season as Seattle’s No. 3 back and a key special teams player, injured his hamstring in the Seahawks’ Week 12 win in Tennessee, causing him to be placed on injured reserve,” wrote Seahawks.com’s John Boyle. “Prior to that injury, Holani rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, and had two catches for 15 yards.
“Holani also returned kickoffs, gaining 387 yards on 16 returns, and three tackles, as well as a touchdown on a recovery of a kickoff in the end zone in Seattle’s Week 2 win over the Steelers.”
In 16 career NFL games, Holani has gained 97 yards from scrimmage.
Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL during the NFC divisional matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks’ George Holani Could Return for NFC Championship Game
The Seahawks designating Holani to return isn’t a huge. Rather, it was the next step in the running back returning to the field.
Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald indicated to reporters Monday that Holani could be back for the NFC championship.
“George is an option. We’ll see how it goes this week,” said Macdonald.
Although he didn’t play after Thanksgiving, Holani finished third among Seahawks running backs in rushing yards during 2025.
In seven of his 11 contests, he didn’t play at all on offense. However, in two games, Holani lined up for at least 11 offensive snaps. He also played at least 13 special teams snaps in every game but three.
On top of the production he supplied as a runner and returner, Holani posted three combined tackles while on special teams.
Seahawks RB Depth Entering NFC Championship Game
The Seahawks could be getting back Holani just in time.
During the regular season, Charbonnet and Walker each played about 46% of the team’s offensive snaps. Holani was third for Seahawks running backs with 3.38% of the team’s offensive snaps played.
It’s likely the Seahawks will ask Walker to play more since Sunday is such an important game. But should Holani return, he can help give Walker some rest.
The Seahawks also have two running backs — Velus Jones Jr. and Cam Akers — they can turned to on the practice squad. Seattle elevated Jones for the divisional round Saturday.
Even if Holani plays, Jones could dress again as a third running back.
The Seahawks will host the Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PT. The winner will earn the right to play in Super Bowl LX.
If the Seahawks win, they will face a familiar Super Bowl foe — either the Denver Broncos or New England Patriots. The Seahawks faced each in the big game last decade.
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