The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up for Week 8 with promising news for their running back lineup. Both Jadarian Price and Zach Charbonnet are expected to make their returns for the upcoming matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Following a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire previous season, Charbonnet is set to return alongside Price, who has been on injured reserve since Week 3 due to a chest injury.
Healthy Prospects for Seattle
Before his injury, Price was the primary back for the Seahawks. During his absence, Emanuel Wilson filled the role admirably, emerging as a reliable option in the backfield.
This week, both Charbonnet and Price appeared on the injury report but were listed without designations prior to kickoff, indicating that they should be ready to contribute. Price still needs to be activated off injured reserve but is expected to be cleared shortly.
Analyzing the Start-or-Sit Dilemma
The decision making for Week 8 is daunting for fantasy managers attempting to assess the Seahawks' running back situation. The committee approach may leave you with a tough choice between multiple players.
Price, as a former first-round draft pick, is likely to reclaim his role as the leading running back. In contrast, Wilson has proven himself as a capable contributor while filling in. Additionally, Charbonnet brings experience to the mix, having previously split carries with former teammate Kenneth Walker.
With both Price and Charbonnet returning from significant injuries, the potential for limited snaps looms, increasing the likelihood of a three-person rotation on game day. Given this uncertainty, it may be prudent to approach this backfield cautiously.
The Final Verdict: Sit Seahawks RBs
Considering the complex nature of this situation, we recommend sitting all Seahawks running backs in your fantasy lineup for Monday night. The unpredictability surrounding how many snaps each back will receive—especially after such extensive absences—makes them too risky.
Price and Charbonnet's returns could mean a limited workload for both in their first game back. Thus, a cautious approach is necessary.
Who to Consider?
If forced to choose a running back, Wilson might be the safest bet, albeit this is speculative. With both Price and Charbonnet likely to ease into their roles gradually, Wilson could benefit from additional touches.
It's common for teams to limit the workloads of players returning from long injuries, and with Charbonnet out for so long and Price missing several weeks, they could both be on a snap count.
Ultimately, even with Wilson being a potential option, the presence of both returning players makes any selection from this backfield a challenging prospect.