BREAKING: Seahawks Coach Mike Macdonald Confirms Charles Cross Returns to Practice After Surgery
In a major boost to Seattle’s offensive line, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has revealed that Charles Cross has returned to practice following surgery to repair a dislocated finger. The former first-round pick had been sidelined, but now appears to be back on track for Week 1 readiness.
Cross Undergoes Surgery but Eyes Season Debut
Left tackle Charles Cross, who dislocated the ring finger on his right hand multiple times, finally underwent surgery after attempting to play through the injury by taping his finger to his pinky. While managing the pain, he continued participating in camp — a testament to his toughness. However, both he and the team agreed that surgery made the most sense once they realized it wouldn’t keep him out past the regular-season opener.
Despite the procedure, cross-functional assessments show Cross remains on track to participate in Seattle’s opener on September 7 against the San Francisco 49ers. The surgery was deemed successful, and the Seahawks are optimistic about his timeline for recovery.
Cross Returns to Limited Drills
Less than a week post-operation, Cross resumed individual drills at training camp — a significant step forward in his rehabilitation. Coach Macdonald confirmed that Cross is expected to be fully back by the time of the final preseason game, likely during the bye between preseason and Week 1.
Toddling Through Depth Issues
During Cross’s absence, Seattle shuffled its offensive line. Veteran Josh Jones and second-year player Michael Jerrell got snaps at left tackle alongside interior competition between Grey Zabel, Olu Oluwatimi, Anthony Bradford, Jalen Sundell, Christian Haynes, and others. With preseason practices kicking in and pad sessions escalating, coaches are sorting through possibilities at all five line positions.
Macdonald Weighs In on Timeline
Macdonald emphasized Cross’s desire to continue playing initially and noted that surgery became the better strategic choice only when it became clear that he wouldn’t miss significant time. The plan has worked so far. The Seahawks remain confident he’ll be ready just in time to anchor their offensive line for the season opener.
Looking Ahead to Camp and Beyond
As training camp progresses, Seattle’s focus remains on fine-tuning their starting five—especially with Cross now set to resume his role. The rest of the line now looks projected as: Grey Zabel at left guard, Oluwatimi at center, Anthony Bradford likely sliding in at right guard, and Abe Lucas at right tackle.
With Cross’s return closer, the Seahawks can shift attention toward polishing pass protection and establishing run-blocking cohesion within their revamped coaching scheme.
Summary Highlights
- Charles Cross, Seattle’s starting left tackle and 2022 first-round pick, underwent surgery to repair a dislocated finger.
- Despite the injury, he practiced through pain before opting for surgery guaranteeing a return before Week 1.
- Cross resumed individual practice drills in less than a week and remains on schedule for a normal timeline.
- Offensive line depth was tested in his absence, with Josh Jones and Michael Jerrell rotating at tackle and internal competition intense at guard and center.
- Macdonald acknowledged Cross’s resilience and decision-making in choosing surgery, which should not delay Seattle’s preseason plans.
With Charles Cross now actively resuming practice, Seattle fans can breathe a sigh of relief as their cornerstone tackle prepares to anchor the line as training camp progresses toward preseason and ultimately, the new NFL season.
