After losing a major part of their backfield, the Seattle Seahawks could be adding some help for the NFC Championship game.
The team on Friday announced that running back Zach Charbonnet was officially headed to injured reserve after suffering a season-ending knee injury. The team could have some relief in the form of a third-year back who is set to return from injury.
Seahawks Get Important Return
The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar reported on Friday that the Seahawks designated running back George Holani to return from injured reserve. He had been out since November, but could provide more depth as the Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
Holani played a small role in the offense, appearing in 11 games with 36 offensive snaps. He had 22 carries for 73 yards with one touchdown, adding two receptions for 15 yards.
Holani was also a regular on special teams, playing in 133 total snaps this season.
The Seahawks will also turn to veterans Velus Jones Jr. and Cam Akers to make up for the loss of Charbonnet. Head coach Mike Macdonald said he feels comfortable leaning on both of them.
“That’s part of the reason we brought them here, is to provide great running back depth,’’ Macdonald said, via the Seattle Times. “Both are really good players in their own right, and they got a great opportunity in front of them. You hate it to be under these circumstances, but it is what it is. We’ve got to move forward. So they’ll be ready to go.’’
Macdonald is expected to spread out the remaining carries, keeping pressure off Sam Darnold and the passing game. The Seahawks head into the game as favorites, but face an aggressive Rams defense, though one that struggled at times against the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears to reach the NFC title game.
Seahawks Have Big Shoes to Fill
It will be difficult to fully replace Charbonnet, who is set to undergo surgery after suffering a torn ACL in the team’s divisional-round win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Macdonald said Charbonnet has “got a long road to come back” from the injury.
“Figuring out what the extent of the injury is and we’ll get all the details on when he’s going to get it fixed and all that,” Macdonald said. “You just feel for the guy, for the person. This guy is just an absolute stud, so he’s around and in good spirits. We got his back.”
Charbonnet split snaps almost equally with Kenneth Walker III this season, rushing for a career-high 730 yards. As Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times noted, Charbonnet played an important role for the offense and won’t easily be replaced.
“Charbonnet usually came in for obvious passing situations and in the two-minute offense — taking advantage of his solid blocking and pass-catching skills — and also emerged as the team’s primary short-yardage runner,” Condotta wrote. “Charbonnet led the Seahawks with 12 rushing touchdowns this season, six of which were from the 1- or 2-yard line.”
Seahawks Announce RB Move After Losing Zach Charbonnet for NFC Title Game