Rookie offensive lineman and first-round pick Grey Zabel has been playing like one of the best guards in the entire NFL. After getting his leg rolled up on late in the game against the Los Angeles Rams, it’s possible that we won’t see him for the rest of the season. Mike Macdonald didn’t have an update other than to say it was his knee and they were getting imaging done.
Recently activated Christian Haynes replaced Zabel and within a few plays was knocked back at least five yards into the backfield. Not ideal. Without Zabel, there will be a massive hole at LG that could jeopardize the rest of the season for the Seahawks. We saw today what can happen to Sam Darnold when he’s faced with quick pressure. Zabel’s absence will also slow down an already-hindered running game.
Oh yeah, the Seahawks lost 21-19 against the Rams with Jason Myers missing a 61-yard FG at the end of regulation that wasn’t even in the same zip code as the goal post. Seattle both deserved to lose and played well enough to win. It was a really, really weird game.
This was a really strange game to write about. I’m really not that mad that Seattle lost…it’s more the Zabel injury that has me worried. The RG position is already a potential weak link, and adding LG to the mix as well has a chance to derail the entire offense. Even with the Darnold INTs, if Seattle just converts one of their three red zone FG drives into a TD, they win the game. I don’t expect the offense to play this poorly against the Rams next time. I do expect the defense to play well against them again. The next matchup will be different, barring a season-ending injury for Grey Zabel, that is.