Seahawks Starter Set For Return Amid Finger Surgery

Seattle Seahawks offensive left tackle Charles Cross had finger surgery on Wednesday, which will sideline him for the rest of training camp and the preseason.

However, the veteran starter will return in time for Week 1 when the Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers in a key NFC West matchup on Sept. 7. Cross needed his ring finger on his right hand treated because of dislocation.

“It became clear that it was better to handle it now rather than let it linger,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters on Thursday. “We felt like it was a good opportunity to fix it so he didn’t have to worry about it once it heals.”

Cross, 24, injured his finger during practice at training camp. ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported that Cross taped the finger to keep practicing despite the dislocation.

While Macdonald explained that Cross wouldn’t sit out if the injury happened during the regular season, it made sense to resolve the issue during camp and the preseason. That gives Cross 2-3 weeks for recovery.

“We expect him back before the San Francisco game,” Macdonald reiterated. “Somewhere between the Green Bay game and the first week — that’s our target.”

Cross has been otherwise durable since Seattle selected him in the 2022 draft from Mississippi State. He missed three games in 2023 because of a toe injury, but Cross otherwise has been a steady starter amid 48 starts in three seasons.

Seattle rewarded Cross’s play and durability this offseason by picking up his fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Cross will make a guaranteed $17.56 million this season.

How Losing Charles Cross Impacts the Seahawks

GettyCharles Cross will miss time this season due to surgery.

Losing Cross could impact rookie left guard Grey Zabel as the two were working together. The first-round pick from North Dakota State is anticipated to start alongside Cross this season.

Zabel and Cross will play a critical role in keeping right-handed quarterback Sam Darnold upright on his blindside this year. Darnold took 48 sacks last season with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Seahawks offensive line will get a big test right off the bat with the pass rush of the 49ers in Week 1, led by star edge Nick Bosa.

2 Seahawks Backup Linemen Are Getting Their Shot

Meanwhile, several backup linemen will get a chance to work with the first team — swing tackle Josh Jones and tackle Michael Jerrell. Jones has started 24 of 76 games played since 2020, and the Seahawks signed him in the offseason for depth.

“We’re not just bringing him here to be a swing tackle,” Macdonald said. “Go compete and win yourself a job. He’s pushing Abe [Lucas] at right tackle, and now there’s an opportunity at left tackle to put your stamp on things.”

Jerrell joined the Seahawks as a sixth-round pick last year, and he played 10 games and started three last year. He played 250 offensive snaps and 40 special teams snaps.

In addition to Cross, injuries and absences have been a growing problem for the Seahawks at training camp. Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (back) and edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu (knee) have both been out. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV and cornerback Shaquil Griffin have missed time due to personal reasons.