Winning feels great. But in the NFL, winning usually comes with a tax, and for the 2025-26 Seattle Seahawks, that tax has been paid in pulled hamstrings and bruised knees. Heading into a massive Divisional Round showdown against the San Francisco 49ers this Saturday, the injury report for the Seattle Seahawks is basically the most important document in the Pacific Northwest.
Honestly, the vibes were a little shaky a week ago. People were panicked. You've got Sam Darnold leading this high-flying offense, but a quarterback is only as good as the guys blocking for him and the targets he’s throwing to. When the initial reports dropped on Tuesday, fans held their breath.
The Big Returns: Cross and Bryant
Basically, the best news Mike Macdonald could have delivered involves the left side of the line. Charles Cross is back. He’s the anchor. After missing three straight games with a nagging hamstring injury, seeing him as a full participant in Tuesday's practice was a massive relief.
You can’t overstate how much this matters.
Without Cross, the Seahawks were forced to lean on Josh Jones. Jones did an admirable job filling in during that Week 18 win over the Niners, but he’s currently dealing with his own knee issue. He didn't practice Tuesday. If Cross hadn't recovered in time, Seattle would have been digging deep into the depth chart to protect Darnold’s blindside against a San Francisco pass rush that doesn't exactly show mercy.
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Then there is Coby Bryant. He’s missed the last two games with a knee problem. He was also a full participant on Tuesday. Having Bryant back in the secondary provides a level of versatility that Macdonald’s defensive scheme craves. It pushes Ty Okada back into a rotational role, which isn't a knock on Okada, but in the playoffs, you want your seasoned veterans on the field.
Who is Still Limited?
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Two massive names are still sporting that "Limited" tag:
- DeMarcus Lawrence (Achilles): This is the one to watch. Lawrence has been a force since joining Seattle, but Achilles issues are notoriously tricky. If he's limited, it means they're managing his reps to make sure he can actually explode off the line on Saturday.
- Riq Woolen (Oblique): Obliques are annoying. They affect everything from sprinting to jumping. Woolen is the lockdown corner this team needs to neutralize the 49ers' wideouts, so his status for the rest of the week is critical.
Reinforcements from the Injured Reserve
The Seahawks have been smart with their IR designations this year. They’ve used seven of their eight return-from-IR spots already. On Tuesday, they officially designated linebacker Chazz Surratt to return.
Surratt hasn't played since Week 12 when he hurt his ankle against the Titans. Before he went down, he was a special teams demon—second on the team in special teams tackles. In a playoff game where field position is everything, getting a guy like Surratt back is low-key a game-changer.
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Then there’s the rookie tight end, Elijah Arroyo. He’s been out for four games with a knee injury but has been practicing fully. He’s a "possibility" for Saturday, according to Macdonald. With 179 yards and a touchdown on the season, he’s not the primary option, but he’s another body the Niners have to account for in the red zone.
The Guys Who Aren't Coming Back
We have to be realistic here. Some seasons just end early. Mike Macdonald has already confirmed that receivers Tory Horton (shin) and Cody White (groin) aren't expected back this year. It sucks, especially for Horton, who showed flashes of being a real deep threat before the injury bug bit.
Running back George Holani is another name on IR. He’s eligible to return, but with Kenneth Walker III looking healthy in practice, the team might not feel the urgent need to burn their last return spot on a backup RB just yet.
Why This Specific Injury Report Matters So Much
The timing is kinda wild. Because the Seahawks beat the 49ers in Week 18, they secured a higher seed and a bit more breathing room. That victory essentially bought Charles Cross the extra week of rest he needed to get that hamstring right.
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If they were playing on a short week without the confidence of that win, the injury report for the Seattle Seahawks would look a lot bleaker.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are dealing with their own nightmare. George Kittle is out for the season with a torn Achilles. Fred Warner is trying to return from an ankle injury but is only doing "walk-through" stuff. The Seahawks are actually the healthier team entering this matchup, which is a sentence I didn't think I'd be writing in mid-January.
How to Use This Information
If you're looking at this from a fan or betting perspective, focus on the "DNP" (Did Not Participate) list on Thursday and Friday.
- Watch Josh Jones: If he can't go as the swing tackle, Seattle's depth on the O-line is paper-thin.
- Monitor Riq Woolen: If he moves from "Limited" to "Full," the Seahawks defense is in great shape.
- Check the IR Activations: Seattle has to officially move Surratt or Arroyo to the active 53-man roster by Friday afternoon for them to play.
Keep an eye on the final practice report of the week. That's where the "Questionable" and "Out" tags get finalized. For now, the Seahawks are trending in the right direction at exactly the right time.
Check the official Seahawks team site on Friday around 1:00 PM PT for the final game status designations. Pay close attention to any late-week additions to the report, as those "non-injury related" or "illness" tags can sometimes pop up and ruin a game plan at the last second. Moving forward, look for the team to utilize their final IR return spot on George Holani if any further backfield depth is needed.