The Seattle Seahawks' path to the playoffs has hit a significant obstacle. Their star left tackle, Charles Cross, has been officially ruled out for the team's high-stakes Week 16 showdown against the Los Angeles Rams. This marks a crucial blow for the Seahawks' offensive line as they enter their most important game in six years.
Injury Sidelines Key Protector
Charles Cross, the 25-year-old blindside protector for quarterback Sam Darnold, suffered a hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter of the Week 15 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The team proceeded cautiously this week, but after missing practice and a light session on Wednesday, head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed his status. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport also reported the news on social media platform X. The injury is expected to keep Cross sidelined for two to four weeks, meaning his earliest possible return would be for the 2025 NFL Playoffs.
Josh Jones Steps Into the Spotlight
With Cross unavailable for the decisive Thursday Night Football matchup at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, the responsibility falls to offensive tackle Josh Jones. The 28-year-old veteran is no stranger to filling this role, having recorded significant snaps during the preseason when Cross was dealing with a finger injury.
Head coach Mike Macdonald expressed confidence in Jones, stating via The Seattle Times, "He's gotten most of those opportunities in preseason, and he did a great job filling it for Charles when he was going through his training camp stuff. So just like everything else, we've had guys that have had opportunities throughout the season, and this is no different. He's got a great opportunity. He's prepared. Go out there and play your tail off."
Jones, whose last start came in Week 3 of the 2023 season with the Houston Texans, is ready for the challenge. "Yeah, it feels like a long time, but preseason kind of helped with that," Jones told The Seattle Times. "It has been a minute, but I'm still super excited, looking forward to it."
Playoff Implications and Game Details
This game carries immense weight for the Seahawks' postseason ambitions. To secure a spot in the 2025 NFL Playoffs, Seattle must win this battle against their division rivals. The stakes could not be higher at Lumen Field.
The game is scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 8:15 PM ET. It will be broadcast on KCPQ FOX 13 in Seattle and KCOP FOX 11 in Los Angeles. Fans can also listen on radio via Sports 710 AM and KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM in Seattle, and ESPNLA 710 AM, 93.1 Jack FM, or KWKW 1330 AM (Spanish) in Los Angeles. Live streaming is available on Amazon Prime Video and NFL+.
Both teams boast an impressive 11-3 record for the 2025 season. The Rams currently lead the NFC West, with the Seahawks close behind in second place. Historically, the rivalry is perfectly balanced, with each franchise having 28 wins in their head-to-head record.
The Seahawks' playoff chances stand at more than 99%, and they will clinch a berth today with a victory. The Los Angeles Rams, having already secured their playoff spot after a Week 15 win over the Detroit Lions, enter with a 100% chance.
Charles Cross's 2025 Season Performance
Before his injury, Cross was having a solid season, anchoring the Seahawks' offensive line in all 14 games. His Pro Football Focus overall grade was 72.9. He ranked as high as 25th among offensive tackles, with a particularly strong pass blocking rank of 20th (75.7 grade). His run blocking was graded at 66.4, placing him 39th.
Betting Odds and Prediction
According to the BetMGM Sportsbook, the Seahawks are slight favorites at home. The point spread is Seahawks -1.5, Rams +1.5. The moneyline is Seahawks -125 and Rams +105. The over/under for total points is set at 42.5.
The absence of Charles Cross adds a layer of complexity to this critical NFC West duel. All eyes will be on Josh Jones as he steps in to protect Sam Darnold's blindside in a game that will define the Seahawks' season.
