Seahawks Get Concerning Grey Zabel Injury News After Loss to Rams

Seattle Seahawks rookie left guard Grey Zabel left Sunday’s 21-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams with an apparent left knee injury, and head coach Mike Macdonald said after the game that the team is still waiting for imaging before knowing how serious it is. Zabel went down on Kenneth Walker III’s late touchdown run and did not return, with Christian Haynes finishing the game at left guard.

Grey Zabel Injures Left Knee vs. Rams as Seahawks Turn to Christian Haynes

Zabel’s injury came at a pivotal moment in the fourth quarter as Seattle tried to complete a comeback in a critical NFC West showdown. On Walker’s 1-yard touchdown plunge that cut the Rams’ lead to two, left tackle Charles Cross lost his balance and rolled into the back of Zabel’s legs. The rookie immediately grabbed at his left knee and stayed down on the turf as trainers rushed out.

After a brief examination on the field, Zabel was helped to the sideline and taken into the medical tent. He was ruled out for the rest of the game, forcing the Seahawks to shuffle the offensive line on their final, potential game-winning drive. Haynes stepped in at left guard, while Seattle tried to protect quarterback Sam Darnold for a last push into field-goal range.

The Seahawks still managed to move the ball and set up a long Jason Myers attempt, but the 61-yard kick sailed wide right as time expired, sealing the Rams’ win and knocking Seattle out of first place in the NFC West.

After the game, Macdonald confirmed the injury is to Zabel’s knee but emphasized that they will need further testing before offering any sort of timetable.

“It’s his knee,” Macdonald said in his press conference. “No update. We’ll get it imaged and see what’s going on.”

For now, the Seahawks are left hoping the imaging brings better news than the way the scene looked on the field.

What Grey Zabel’s Injury Means for the Seahawks’ Offensive Line

Any extended absence for Zabel would be a major blow up front. The former first-round pick has quickly become a steady presence at left guard on a young offensive line that also features Cross and center Jalen Sundell. Macdonald previously praised Zabel as a “steadying force” and said he “doesn’t feel like he’s a rookie” in the way he’s handled the job.

If Zabel misses time, Haynes is the next man up on the depth chart, and Sunday gave him an abrupt audition in a high-leverage situation. Seattle could also look to shuffle other interior linemen depending on matchups and how long Zabel is sidelined. Until imaging is complete, though, everything remains in the “wait and see” category.

The timing is rough for a Seahawks team that has leaned on its offensive line to keep Darnold upright and open running lanes for Walker and Zach Charbonnet. With the playoff race tightening and divisional games carrying extra weight, losing a starting guard for any stretch would test the team’s depth and continuity.

Stats, Schedule & Context for Seahawks After Rams Loss

• Game result: Seahawks lose 21-19 to Rams on missed 61-yard field goal at the buzzer.
• Standings context: Rams move into sole possession of first place in the NFC West; Seahawks fall to 7-3.
• Zabel’s role: Starting rookie left guard, first-round pick, viewed as long-term building block on the line. 
• Other injuries vs. Rams: Linebacker Tyrice Knight also exited and was ruled out with a concussion.
• Next step: Imaging on Zabel’s left knee will determine whether this is a short-term setback or a longer absence. 

For now, the Seahawks are hoping one of their most important young pieces on offense avoided the worst, and that the next update on Zabel is better than the scene that had teammates taking a knee in the end zone.

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