Seahawks Facing Potential Absence of Left Tackle Charles Cross
The Seattle Seahawks are preparing for what could be their biggest game of the season, but they may have to do so without one of their most important players. Starting left tackle Charles Cross is dealing with an injury that could keep him off the field Thursday.
Last offseason, Seattle took a measured approach with Cross as he entered his fourth NFL season and became eligible for a contract extension. While many teams choose to lock up young starters early to take advantage of a rising salary cap, the Seahawks opted for flexibility. They exercised Cross’s fifth-year option—securing an additional season at below-market value—but stopped short of a long-term extension. Reports suggested negotiations never gained real momentum, and with two years remaining before free agency, general manager John Schneider appeared willing to wait.
It remains unclear whether that strategy will pay off. From a production standpoint, Cross is on pace for the most efficient season of his career, allowing just 24 pressures so far—well below his previous low of 42 in 2023—and only two sacks after giving up at least six in each of his first three seasons. However, his overall Pro Football Focus grades have declined from last year, particularly as a run blocker, and some of his improved numbers may be influenced by Klint Kubiak’s offensive system.
Regardless of the evaluation, Cross has not quite reached the elite tier occupied by young stars like Tristan Wirfs or Rashawn Slater. At 25 years old, there’s a realistic possibility that leap may never come. Still, he remains a vital component of Seattle’s 11–3 success and would be difficult to replace if he cannot suit up.
That concern became more real on Sunday, when Cross appeared to suffer a hamstring injury during Jason Myers’s game-winning field goal against Indianapolis. He did not participate in the victory formation kneel-down. While head coach Mike Macdonald did not address the injury immediately after the game, he confirmed the following day that Cross was undergoing evaluation and that his status for Thursday is uncertain.
Seattle’s offense would look very different without him. Despite some recent struggles, the Seahawks rank fifth in the league in scoring, and quarterback Sam Darnold has been sacked less often than nearly any other full-season starter. That protection will be tested against a Rams defense boasting one of the NFL’s top pass rushes, featuring edge threats Byron Young and Jared Verse.
If Cross is unavailable, the likely replacement is veteran Josh Jones. Signed in the offseason as a versatile backup, Jones has previous experience with the Cardinals, Texans, and Ravens, and has played multiple offensive line positions. Left tackle is his most natural spot, where he logged nearly all of his college snaps and posted his best professional season in 2022. Even then, his performance fell well short of Cross’s current level, allowing significant pressure and penalties while anchoring an offense that ranked near the bottom of the league.
Other options are limited. Grey Zabel has college experience at left tackle, but his arm length makes that role unrealistic at the NFL level. Bryce Cabeldue and Mason Richman also played tackle in college, yet both were expected to transition inside and lack meaningful professional experience.
If Cross can’t play, Seattle will need to adjust quickly—emphasizing rapid throws, extra protection, and a reliable ground game to protect Darnold. Having their starting left tackle available would make that task far easier, and the Seahawks will hope Cross can recover in time for Thursday’s matchup.
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