For most teams, losing a fullback to an injury isn't a huge deal. Some teams don't even carry a player at that position. The Seattle Seahawks, though, might have been looking at keeping two because new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury is used to having high-end fullbacks maximize the efficiency of the offense that he works with.
Robbie Ouzts is dealing with an undisclosed injury that is severe enough to land him on injured reserve. This means he will miss the entire season, and he was likely expected to be the lead fullback and a player who could offer some positional flexibility as a tight end.
Getting his reps will be veteran Brady Russell, who is smaller than Ouzts. The latter was respected enough out of Alabama in 2025 to be a fifth-round selection by Seattle. That is tremendously high for a fullback, but he offered the size and power to basically be an offensive lineman in the backfield.
Seattle Seahawks lose Robbie Ouzts for the 2026 season with an injury
While he didn't participate in lots of reps as a rookie, with Fleury's new offensive direction, the fullback was probably due to see his snaps increase quite a lot. He wouldn't simply be a blocker either. He likely would have seen more pass targets as well as a few carries.
Russell is a good athlete, but he doesn't have the brute force that Ouzts does. In essence, losing Ouzts is a much more significant loss than it would have been in previous years or with other teams. His absence leaves a void that the Seattle Seahawks need to address to make Fleury's scheme work as efficiently as hoped.
Seattle had a relatively good run-pass mix in 2025 under OC Klint Kubiak, but Kubiak was hired by the Las Vegas Raiders this past offseason to be their new head coach. Brian Fleury was hired from the San Francisco 49ers soon after and will most certainly run the same kind of system that Kyle Shanahan did in the Bay Area. That system needs a fullback to work well, and a good one.
With Robbie Ouzts out for the season, Seattle might look to add another fullback. Russell will get the initial reps, at least in training camp, and the current free agent group for fullbacks is not deep. Instead, Seattle might look to see if a recently retired player will play one more season in the Pacific Northwest.
CJ Ham might be one option, but he spent his entire nine-year career with the Minnesota Vikings. He did play a season with Sam Darnold there, however.
Another option might be Nick Bellore, who played for the Seahawks from 2019 through 2023 and retired after spending the last two seasons with the Washington Commanders. He is a fan favorite, but also a smart player who would likely do a good job in Fleury's system.
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