Seattle Seahawks Injury Report: Charles Cross Set to Return, Drew Lock Questionable vs. Bengals

Back just in time to protect Geno Smith against a talented Cincinnati Bengals pass rush, the Seattle Seahawks will finally have Charles Cross back at left tackle after sitting out three games, but questions remain elsewhere along the offensive line heading into Sunday.

Following a three-game absence due to injury, the Seattle Seahawks will happily welcome left tackle Charles Cross back into the starting lineup to face the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sunday.

Cross, who exited Seattle's season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Rams with a sprained big toe moments into the third quarter, started practicing earlier this week after being replaced by Stone Forsythe protecting Geno Smith's blind side amid a three-game winning streak. The former first-round pick made it through the practice week without any hitches or setbacks, paving the way for him to return to game action for the first time in a month.

While the Seahawks will have Cross back at left tackle, questions remain at other positions along the offensive line. Guard Phil Haynes, who has been battling through a pesky calf injury and missed parts of the past two games, is expected to play despite receiving a questionable designation according to coach Pete Carroll. Meanwhile, fellow starting guard Damien Lewis likely won't play with a doubtful designation due to an ankle injury and missed all three practices this week.

Making his much-awaited return after dealing with a sprained big toe, Seahawks QB Geno Smith will be pleased to have Charles Cross back protecting his blind side against the Bengals / © Joe Nicholson, USA TODAY

Assuming Lewis won't be available in Cincinnati, Seattle has a few different alternatives to consider replacing him. When he exited in the first half of a Monday night win over the New York Giants two weeks ago, center Evan Brown slid to left guard and rookie Olu Oluwatimi stepped in at the pivot position, but that was with Haynes already out and rookie Anthony Bradford filling in for him on the right side. Haynes has previously played left guard and could move to the opposite side with him expected to suit up.

It's also possible Seattle could consider elevating veteran Jason Peters from the practice squad, though he would likely be an insurance policy rather than a starter in his first game action of the 2023 season. Carroll not surprisingly didn't provide any intel after Friday's practice about what the team may do and the starting line won't be known until warmups prior to kickoff on Sunday.

Under center, Smith didn't receive a final injury designation after being a full participant all week with a knee injury stemming from being brought down by a controversial hip-drop tackle against the Giants. Behind him, backup Drew Lock is listed as questionable due to a new ankle injury that cropped up during the week and caused him to miss practice time, leading to the decision to re-sign Holton Ahlers to the practice squad.

But Carroll indicated Lock moved well during Friday's practice after turning his ankle and seemed to indicate he would be ready to play in Cincinnati.

In additional injury news, Seattle officially ruled out cornerbacks Coby Bryant and Artie Burns after being out of practice all week, which likely will force rookie Devon Witherspoon inside to full-time slot duty against Cincinnati. Bryant continues to deal with a sore toe and will miss his third straight game, while Burns has yet to turn the corner nursing his way back from a hamstring strain and will sit out his second consecutive contest.

On the plus side, receiver DK Metcalf and safety Jamal Adams weren't listed on the injury report after being limited or out earlier in the practice week. The Seahawks have been cautious with Metcalf since suffering a rib injury in a Week 2 road win over the Lions, easing him through the week to ensure he can play on game day. As for Adams, after suffering a concussion in his 2023 debut against the Giants, he exited protocol on Tuesday and return to full practice by Thursday, ensuring he will be ready to go.