Playoff football in Seattle hits different. The air gets sharper, the stadium starts shaking, and honestly, the anxiety levels regarding the medical tent go through the roof. If you’re looking at the injury list for Seattle Seahawks right now, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster. We're heading into a Divisional Round clash with the 49ers this Saturday, January 17, 2026, and the roster looks like a puzzle that Mike Macdonald is trying to finish while the clock is ticking.
It’s been a weird week at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Coming off a first-round bye as the No. 1 seed, you’d think everyone would be fresh, but that’s not exactly how the NFL works.
The Charles Cross Mystery and the Left Tackle Crisis
Basically, the biggest headline is Charles Cross. He has been the anchor for this offensive line, but he’s missed the last three games with a nasty hamstring injury. Just when we thought he was back—he was a full participant on Tuesday—the Wednesday report dropped a bit of a bomb. Cross is now listed with a knee injury on top of the hamstring. He was downgraded to limited.
That sucks. It really does.
If Cross can't go, the situation gets dicey fast. Why? Because the guy who has been filling in for him, Josh Jones, hasn't practiced at all this week. Jones has been gutting it out through knee and ankle issues for a month, but his body might have finally hit a wall. If both are out, we're looking at Amari Kight—an undrafted free agent—protecting the blind side in the biggest game of the year. That's a scary thought when you've got Nick Bosa lining up on the other side.
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Defense and Reinforcements: Who’s In?
It isn't all bad news, though. Far from it.
DeMarcus Lawrence gave everyone a scare with an Achilles issue earlier in the week. He was limited on Tuesday, but he bounced back to a full participant on Wednesday. Coach Macdonald basically said it’s just something they’re "managing" and expects him to be fine. Having "D-Law" out there is massive for the pass rush.
Then you’ve got the secondary. Coby Bryant is back. After missing two games with a knee injury, he’s been a full participant all week. He’s a ball hawk, and having him back deep is a huge relief for a unit that needs to contain San Francisco's playmakers.
Here is a quick look at where the key names stand as of the latest practice reports:
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- Ernest Jones IV (LB): He missed Wednesday with an illness. Usually, these "bug" situations clear up by Saturday, so no one is panicking yet.
- Riq Woolen (CB): Dealing with a new oblique injury. He’s been limited two days in a row. He’ll likely play, but oblique injuries are tricky for corners who need to twist and turn at high speeds.
- Tyrice Knight (LB): He went from "Did Not Practice" (DNP) on Tuesday to limited on Wednesday with a shoulder problem. He’s trending the right way.
- Chazz Surratt (LB): Just designated to return from IR. He moved from limited to full on Wednesday. He’s ready.
- Elijah Arroyo (TE): The rookie has been a full participant. After missing the end of the regular season, he looks like a lock to play.
The Long-Term Absences
We should probably mention the guys who definitely aren't coming back. Macdonald was pretty blunt earlier this week: Tory Horton (shin) and Cody White (groin) are out for the year. No playoff heroics for them in 2026.
The running back room is also still missing Kenny McIntosh, who has been on IR with an ACL since October. It’s been a "next man up" kind of year for the backfield, but with Kenneth Walker III looking healthy in practice, the ground game should still be the focal point.
What This Means for Saturday
Look, the 49ers aren't exactly healthy either. They're dealing with their own stuff—Fred Warner has an ankle issue and George Kittle is out for the season after surgery.
But for Seattle, it all comes down to the trenches. If Charles Cross is even 80% and can start, the Seahawks’ offense has a rhythm that’s hard to break. If the left tackle spot becomes a revolving door of backups, Geno Smith is going to be under fire all night.
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Honestly, the injury list for Seattle Seahawks is longer than you’d like for a team coming off a bye, but the return of Bryant and Lawrence outweighs the concerns at linebacker.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're tracking the roster for betting or just pure fandom, keep your eyes glued to the Thursday evening final injury report. That’s when we’ll get the official "Questionable" or "Out" designations.
- Watch the O-Line: If Josh Jones remains DNP on Thursday, the pressure on Charles Cross to play through the pain becomes 10x higher.
- Monitor Riq Woolen: If he drops to a DNP, the Seahawks' ability to play man coverage against the Niners' receivers takes a massive hit.
- Check the Weather: It’s Seattle in January. A slick field makes those hamstring and oblique injuries way more dangerous for soft-tissue flare-ups.
The game kicks off at 5:00 PM PT on Saturday at Lumen Field. Keep your fingers crossed for the big guys up front.