Seahawks Avoid Major Injury Concerns After Zabel’s Knee Scare in Loss to Rams

RENTON, Wash. – November 17, 2025

The Seattle Seahawks received encouraging news on Monday regarding rookie left guard Grey Zabel, who left Sunday’s 21-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium after an apparent knee injury. Tests revealed no significant structural damage, offering relief to an offensive line already stretched thin by injuries.

“Really fortunate we avoided a significant injury, which is positive,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said. “The words I heard were day-to-day, and you know how that goes. It could be day-to-day, it could be a week, could be more than that, but nothing significant, which is a huge positive.”

How the Injury Occurred

Zabel, Seattle’s first-round draft pick in 2025, sustained the injury during Ken Walker III’s fourth-quarter touchdown run, when left tackle Charles Cross fell onto the back of Zabel’s left leg. Zabel immediately collapsed to the turf, clutching his knee, and required assistance from trainers to exit the field.

Despite the scare, Zabel’s performance through the season has been a bright spot for the Seahawks, stabilizing a line that has struggled with consistency for years. With center Jalen Sundell already on injured reserve, losing Zabel would have been a severe blow to the team’s offensive front.

Christian Haynes Steps In

Second-year guard Christian Haynes, recently activated from injured reserve, replaced Zabel for the remainder of the game, marking his first action of the season.

“For Christian, not having been active and seeing his first football action, I thought he did a good job,” Macdonald said. “There are some things he’s going to clean up, and he’ll do that.”

Haynes’ return provides valuable depth as the Seahawks navigate a challenging stretch of games. Without him, the team would have been down to rookie Bryce Cabeldue as the only backup behind Olu Oluwatimi, who started in place of Sundell against the Rams.

“I thought Olu did a tremendous job,” Macdonald said. “Stepping in, being ready to go, decisive with his calls. Again, there are things we need to clean up as a front, as an offensive line, but it’s not for a lack of effort and we’ll get those things fixed.”

Sam Darnold’s Turnovers Cost Seahawks

Seattle’s offense played effectively in stretches, but quarterback Sam Darnold’s four interceptions were the deciding factor in the close defeat.

Darnold led a late touchdown drive to cut the Rams’ lead to two points and moved the team from its own 1-yard line into field-goal range for a potential game-winning attempt. However, the turnovers were too costly to overcome.

Macdonald emphasized that while Darnold must maintain his aggressive mindset, he also needs to recognize situations where taking a sack or moving to the next play is preferable to risking a turnover.

“I think the majority of them came late in downs where we just need to get to the next play,” Macdonald said. “Sam’s played in time and in rhythm a lot this year, and he’s made a lot of plays for us doing that, and he’s also made a lot of plays off-schedule. You don’t want to take the playmaker out of him, but you also understand when we need to be able to get to the next play versus putting the ball in jeopardy down the field. We’ll learn from it and grow from it.”

Breakdown of the Interceptions

• First interception: Linebacker Kamren Kinchens picked off Darnold after center Oluwatimi was pushed back, obstructing Darnold’s view and forcing a risky throw to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

• Second interception: On a third-down stunt, Byron Young pressured Darnold into a back-foot throw, intercepted by Cobie Durant.

• Third interception: After the Rams extended their lead to 21-12, Darnold attempted a collapsing-pocket throw to Elijah Arroyo, which was snagged by Darious Williams despite Seattle being in field-goal range.

• Fourth interception: Pressure and miscommunication contributed, with Darnold’s decision-making under duress resulting in another turnover.

Despite being sacked zero times in the contest, the offensive line allowed enough pressure to influence three of the four picks. This was a stark contrast to last January, when Darnold was sacked nine times in a playoff loss to the Rams. The team appears to have adjusted to avoid sacks but inadvertently increased risk-taking throws downfield.

Opening: A Surprising Hook

It was just past midnight when Jeremy Hale, a hiker from Tacoma, stumbled through the fog-laden trails of the Olympic National Forest. He had been chasing nothing more than the thrill of solitude, a chance to escape the glaring lights and noise of Seattle. But then he saw it—an unblinking pair of eyes, luminescent against the shadowy underbrush. The creature stepped into view, taller than a man, yet fluid and fragile, as if made of mist and muscle combined. Jeremy froze, unsure whether fear or awe should grip him first.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Seahawks fans were holding their breath for a different reason. News had just come in: linebacker Grey Zabel had taken a hard hit during a late-night practice session. Panic rippled through social media as fans feared the worst. But Seahawks defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s post-practice press conference was brief, measured, and precise. “There’s nothing significant with Grey’s knee,” he said. “He’ll be fine. No setbacks expected.” Relief spread, mirrored by the unlikeliest of parallels in Jeremy’s encounter—the creature blinked, turned, and vanished into the mist, leaving a haunting silence behind.

Body: Context, Facts, and Human Dimension

Grey Zabel’s knee scare came during an intense drill emphasizing lateral agility and rapid direction changes. Team insiders revealed he landed awkwardly after a collision with defensive lineman Tyrese Coleman. In the immediate aftermath, medical personnel rushed to the field, while teammates hovered anxiously. The stadium lights flickered over a tense scene that fans later described on Twitter as “heart-stopping.”

Zabel, 27, has had a history of minor knee concerns, but nothing has slowed his progress this season. Analysts noted that his agility in the previous seven games contributed significantly to the Seahawks’ defensive line performance, ranking in the top 15 for tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Any injury could have meant a serious blow to their playoff positioning.

Coach Macdonald addressed the media with calm authority, emphasizing both medical evaluation and psychological reassurance. “Grey’s MRI and physical tests were clear. There’s a minor bruise, some swelling, but no structural damage. Our focus now is recovery and maintaining confidence,” he explained. His words immediately circulated across sports media, with fan forums buzzing with a mix of relief and cautious optimism.

For many Seahawks supporters, injuries are more than statistics—they’re moments that test the emotional investment of a community. Moments like these echo in living rooms, bars, and online spaces as fans collectively breathe in relief. Some posted memes and graphics depicting Zabel as a superhero narrowly escaping disaster. Others shared personal stories of perseverance, drawing inspiration from his resilience.