behind his cabin in Inglewood, California, just to clear his head after Seattle Seahawks practice. His left knee throbbed slightly—a reminder from the previous day’s game against the Rams—but he felt an odd sense of freedom stepping into the thick tangle of moss-covered trees. That’s when he saw it: a shape, crouched low between the ferns, with eyes that glimmered like liquid silver in the dim light.
The creature didn’t move at first. Zabel froze, adrenaline spiking. It exhaled, a smoky vapor curling through the air, and tilted its head as if studying him. For a long moment, he debated running, calling for help, or simply standing still. He chose the latter. Something about its presence was unnervingly calm, like it was waiting for him to decide what kind of man he was.
Back in Seattle, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald had just addressed reporters, a notebook in hand and the stadium lights still buzzing behind him. “Grey’s knee injury? Nothing significant,” Macdonald said firmly, relief evident in his voice. Fans had feared a serious setback after Zabel limped off during the fourth quarter. Social media exploded with speculation, with hashtags like #ZabelWatch and #SeahawksStrong trending for hours. Analysts dissected his performance, wondering if the team’s left guard could return at full strength. But in the quiet of the forest, far from cameras or social media, Zabel faced a completely different kind of test.
The creature stepped closer, revealing a texture to its skin that shimmered like oil on water. It made no sound, yet Zabel could feel the pressure of its gaze as if it could peer directly into his thoughts. The pain in his knee seemed to dull, replaced by an intense focus. He raised a hand cautiously, more out of instinct than bravery. The creature mirrored him, its movements precise and deliberate. In that instant, Zabel realized the forest had its own rules, independent of stadiums, crowds, or injuries.
News outlets had already published timelines: Zabel injured during the fourth quarter, limp to the locker room, MRI scans showing no structural damage. Macdonald emphasized recovery protocols, emphasizing strength, conditioning, and the mental resilience required of professional athletes. Fans posted messages of encouragement, recalling Zabel’s pivotal blocks that had kept drives alive. Yet none of that mattered in the forest, where time seemed suspended and the air tasted of damp earth and possibility.
Minutes stretched like hours. Zabel felt an unfamiliar mix of fear and connection, his heartbeat echoing through the dense undergrowth. The creature made a motion, subtle yet deliberate, nudging a nearby stone toward him. Hesitant, he picked it up. A shimmer ran across the stone’s surface, faint and otherworldly. He glanced at the creature, which crouched lower, almost bowing. Without understanding why, Zabel placed the stone in his pocket. It was a gift—or a challenge, he couldn’t tell which.
Finally, it moved. Faster than he expected, it melted into the forest shadows, leaving only a faint rustle and the lingering scent of wet moss. Zabel sank to his knees, breath coming in shallow bursts, the reality of his NFL life colliding with the impossible encounter he’d just survived. The pain in his knee returned, dull and insignificant, as if reminding him of the normal, human world.
When he returned to the cabin, the sun had begun its descent, casting long golden streaks across the forest floor. He checked his phone—dozens of notifications, fans and teammates celebrating his return, Macdonald reiterating there was “nothing significant” about the injury. Yet in the quiet, he realized that some things weren’t measured in MRI scans or social media metrics. Some moments defied statistics, logic, and explanation entirely.
Seahawks Avoid Major Injury Concerns After Zabel’s Knee Scare, but Turnovers Highlight Persistent Challenges
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. A first-round selection with a reputation for intelligence and toughness, Zabel has helped mitigate what could have been a much more porous offensive front. His ability to handle both pass protection and run blocking assignments has been integral in allowing the Seahawks’ offense to function at a competitive level even amid injuries.
With center Jalen Sundell already on injured reserve, losing Zabel would have been a severe blow to the team’s offensive front. Sundell suffered a knee injury two weeks ago, which sidelined him indefinitely, leaving the Seahawks scrambling to reconfigure the line.
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. Haynes, a versatile and physical lineman, had been sidelined since training camp with a lingering pectoral injury.
“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.”
Offensive Line: A Season-Long Challenge
The Seahawks’ offensive line has been a recurring storyline in 2025. Injuries to key starters, coupled with inconsistent performances in pass protection, have challenged Seattle’s ability to sustain drives. The back-to-back absences of Sundell and Zabel illustrate the thin margin teams face when multiple starters are sidelined.
The Seahawks have relied heavily on rookie and second-year players, including Zabel, Haynes, and Cabeldue, to fill in gaps. While these young players bring talent and athleticism, the learning curve in the NFL, particularly against seasoned defensive fronts, is steep. The Rams’ defensive line, featuring Byron Young and Cobie Durant, tested Seattle’s patchwork front repeatedly on Sunday, contributing to three of quarterback Sam Darnold’s four interceptions.
Sam Darnold’s Turnovers Cost Seahawks
While Seattle’s offense generated opportunities, quarterback Sam Darnold’s four interceptions were decisive in the 21-19 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
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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.
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Second interception: On a third-down stunt, Byron Young pressured Darnold into a back-foot throw, intercepted by Cobie Durant.
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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.
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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.
Young Players Stepping Up
Despite the losses, several young players showed promise. Oluwatimi, starting in Sundell’s absence, demonstrated poise and decisiveness in his first start of the season. Haynes’ first game action in 2025 offered flashes of physicality and versatility, giving Seattle hope that the interior line can withstand further adversity.
Rookie receiver Elijah Arroyo and running back Ken Walker III also contributed, highlighting that while mistakes occurred, the foundation of a resilient offense exists. Maintaining development for these young pieces will be critical as Seattle moves deeper into the NFC West schedule.
Seahawks Defense Provides a Silver Lining
Seattle’s defense kept the game within reach despite offensive miscues. The defensive front pressured quarterback Matthew Stafford consistently, and the secondary made several key stops to limit the Rams’ yardage. Linebackers, including Ernest Jones IV, who will return after missing the game, and rotational player Patrick O’Connell, continue to provide stability and depth in the linebacker corps.
The Seahawks’ ability to stay competitive in a low-scoring, tightly contested game highlights that, while the offensive line and turnovers remain concerns, the defense has established itself as a core strength.
Implications for Upcoming Games
Seattle faces a crucial NFC West schedule over the next four weeks, including matchups against the Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons. Managing the offensive line and reducing turnovers will be pivotal in these contests.
Macdonald stressed the importance of resilience:
“Well, I think he speaks for the whole team, I think that’s the way everybody feels,” Macdonald said. “We fell short yesterday. There’s no other way to slice it. The Rams won the game; they won it fair and square. They played better than us and coached better than us—that’s what happens. It’s a tough one but all these losses, you can’t let them beat you twice. You’ve got to go back. Take it on the chin, move forward, learn from it—that’s what we intend to do.”
Maintaining focus and confidence will be essential, particularly as Seattle faces teams with playoff aspirations. The Seahawks’ margin for error is shrinking in a competitive division, and reliance on rookie and second-year players will test the coaching staff’s ability to balance development with immediate performance.
The Road Ahead
For now, the Seahawks can breathe a sigh of relief that Zabel’s knee injury is not serious. With Oluwatimi, Haynes, and rookie Cabeldue providing depth, the offensive line has the tools to navigate the next stretch of games.
Seattle will need cleaner offensive execution, particularly from Darnold, who remains a rising talent despite recent mistakes. The quarterback’s ability to make smart decisions under pressure, paired with the line’s protection, will dictate the team’s success over the coming weeks.
Additionally, Seattle’s young offensive line and skill-position players must continue to gain experience and cohesion. The team’s potential is clear, but consistency remains the hurdle. Lessons learned from Sunday’s game—particularly in turnovers and line communication—could serve as a blueprint for growth if the coaching staff and players effectively address the issues.
