The Seattle Seahawks lost in Week 11 to the Los Angeles Rams, but the team has another chance at LA later in the season. One player who might not be available is rookie left guard Grey Zabel. Don't expect head coach Mike Macdonald to give much information about Zabel's injury, though, because he doesn't do that about any player.
The extent of the injury appeared relatively clear, though, with the expectation that the left guard will be out for a bit. Near the end of the game, left tackle Charles Cross was pushed on Zabel's left leg. The injury occurred on a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Kenneth Walker III, which got Seattle to 21-19.
The rookie offensive lineman was helped off the field and immediately ruled out. That is never a good sign.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald updates Grey Zabel's injury status after Week 11 loss
After the game, Macdonald said the team didn't know how bad the injury was and that imaging would need to be done. That was expected to take place on Monday. The hope was that Zabel wasn't as hurt as he appeared to be at first, but that was probably always a hollow hope.
The injury came a week after center Jalen Sundell hurt his knee and has since been placed on injured reserve. Coincidentally, Sundell and Zabel were also teammates at North Dakota State, and both were having solid seasons this year.
Speaking with Brock Huard and Mike Salk on Macdonald's weekly radio show on Seattle Sports 710 AM, the head coach updated Zabel's status by saying, "Let's get out of the fog before I make any declaration." He also said the team is hopeful; however, the follow-up imaging has not yet been completed.
Zabel's most likely temporary replacement will be Christian Haynes. Haynes has spent most of the year on injured reserve and played for the first time this season on the Seahawks' final drive against the Rams after Zabel was hurt. Haynes gave up one pressure in the final, futile drive, so maybe he will be solid. That would be a bit of a surprise, however.
Still, Seattle has no other player capable of truly playing left guard as the other candidates are rookie Bryce Cabeldue and, potentially, Mason Richman, who has mostly been a healthy scratch. In 2025, the Seattle Seahawks' offensive line has been much better than in previous seasons, but there is no way of knowing what impact missing Zabel and Sundell will have.
The likelihood is that Seattle signs a veteran free agent to the practice squad to add some depth. That could include players such as Shaq Mason or former Seahawks offensive lineman Mark Glowinski.
Update: During a press conference on Monday afternoon, Mike Macdonald said Zabel "avoided a significant injury," and maybe the rookie is day-to-day, but the left guard could miss a week or more, too.