The Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet is out for the playoffs after suffering a knee injury. Coach Mike Macdonald confirmed the third-year back needs season-ending surgery, a massive blow to Seattle's rushing attack. Charbonnet was instrumental in their Week 16 comeback win over the Rams, tying the game with a heads-up 2-point conversion.

Charbonnet's absence places the entire offensive burden on Kenneth Walker III. Walker shined in the divisional round, rushing for 116 yards and three touchdowns against the 49ers after Charbonnet went down. He finished the regular season with over 1,000 yards, but now faces a much heavier workload without his shared backfield partner.

Seattle's playoff hopes now hinge on Walker's durability. He played all 18 games this season after past durability concerns, but never carried the ball more than 19 times in a game. The team will also lean on practice squad backs Cam Akers and Velus Jones Jr., plus their unstoppable 'tush push' play in short-yardage situations.