Charles Cross has been ruled out for Seattle’s Nov. 2 matchup against the Chicago Bears with an ankle injury, prompting multiple starting-line changes.
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Seattle has ruled starting left tackle Charles Cross out of its Nov. 2 matchup against the Chicago Bears due to an ankle injury, according to the team’s final injury report released Saturday, Oct. 31.
Cross’s injury caused him to miss practice throughout the week after it occurred in the fourth quarter of Seattle’s 20-3 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 25. He did not participate in practice, leading the Seahawks to rule him out for Monday Night Football.
With Cross out, Seattle will make three changes along its starting offensive line. Josh Jones will move into the left tackle spot, Quenton Nelson will take over at left guard, and Grey Zabel will shift to right guard.
Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Jones will play left tackle on Saturday, and said the veteran can handle the assignment based on his prior experience stepping in during the 2025 season when he replaced Cross for a stretch of three games.
The reshuffle comes shortly after Seattle acquired eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The Seahawks traded a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round selection to Indianapolis for Nelson.
Nelson is expected to make his Seattle debut against Chicago at left guard, moving Zabel to the right side and resulting in Anthony Bradford being pushed out of the starting lineup. Offensive coordinator Brian Fleury said the short timeline increases challenges related to communication and differences in terminology.
Fleury said the staff plans to simplify certain responsibilities for Nelson as he adjusts to Seattle’s terminology and offensive system. Macdonald expressed optimism about Nelson’s progress after his first week with the team and indicated the Seahawks would continue making alterations as necessary during Monday’s game.
The Seahawks’ offensive line adjustments arrive at a time when Seattle has faced inconsistency during the 2026 season. Cross had started all seven games for the Seahawks this year and has been part of the offensive line since 2022, and his absence comes after Seattle surrendered five sacks in each of its previous two games before improving protection in its win over Kansas City.
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