The Seattle Seahawks have watched as loads of other teams have seen a bunch of players go down with injuries in training camp and the preseason. The San Francisco 49ers have been particularly hit hard. While one should never hope someone gets hurt, Seattle is probably helped by the 49ers' issues.
Unlike San Francisco, Seattle got some excellent news ahead of the joint practice with the Green Bay Packers (the Seahawks also play Green Bay on Saturday in the final preseason game of the year). Left tackle Charles Cross was dressed in full pads and able to take part in practice.
Cross injured his finger in training camp, and he required surgery. The hope was that Cross would be back before Week 1 of the regular season when Seattle plays San Francisco. Now, if Week 1 were this weekend, Cross would be able to play.
Seattle Seahawks get Charles Cross back before preseason Week 3 game versus the Packers
Seattle's left tackle has turned himself into one of the better players at his position in the league. Astonishingly, even without Charles Cross, Seattle's offensive line has been terrific in the preseason. There is no doubt that Cross's return only makes an improving group better.
Charles Cross is participating in a full-contact 11-on-11 period against the Packers defense right now. Mike Macdonald previously said he wasn’t expected to be all the way back from finger surgery until sometime between the Green Bay game and the season opener.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) August 21, 2025
The expectation now should be that the Seattle Seahawks starting five along the offensive line in Week 1 includes Cross at left tackle, rookie Grey Zabel at left guard, Jalen Sundell at center, Anthony Bradford at right guard, and Abraham Lucas at right tackle. Bradford has had a great preseason, and Sundell hasn't allowed a quarterback pressure.
But the line simply would not be as good without Cross. He hasn't yet made a Pro Bowl, but has been better in each of his seasons and is trending toward making his first Pro Bowl in 2025. Last season, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Cross as the ninth-best overall tackle in the NFL.
His presence will also be a boon to rookie Zabel. The North Dakota State product has been excellent in camp and the preseason, but offensive lines need cohesion. Any reps Cross and Zabel can get together are only going to help the Seattle Seahawks once the real games begin.