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Zabel

Zabel got in a limited session on Thursday and will likely add a second one today. Most offensive linemen that practice in any real capacity play on Sunday, and we’d be surprised if Zabel didn’t match that bill.

Zabel’s knee injury is not as bad as it was initially believed to be. His return to practice is a good sign. Although he may be unable to play in Week 12 against the Titans, he seemingly has decent odds of facing the Vikings in Week 13.

Head coach Mike Macdaonld said on Monday that the initial news on Zabel’s knee injury was “really positive.” He could still miss some time, but it doesn’t appear to be a long-term injury. Christian Haynes took Zabel’s spot in the lineup last week and would likely be in line for the start if he can’t suit up on Sunday.

Zabel left Week 11’s loss to the Rams after 74 snaps (they played 84, if that seems high for a mid-game exit) and did not return. The rookie left guard has struggled as a run blocker early in his career, but has put up a 60.2 PFF pass block grade.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Zabel’s deal is worth a guaranteed $18.471 million. The former North Dakota State guard will be tasked with bolstering a Seahawks line that ranked 26th in PFF pass blocking grades and 24th in run blocking grades. The Seahawks didn’t do much to address their offensive line this offseason, with Zabel being the biggest addition to date. The FCS stud showed out at this year’s senior bowl, and brings high expectations into his rookie season after dominating at the college ranks.

He will join a Seattle offensive line graded in 2024 as the league’s sixth-worst pass blocking unit and eighth-worst run blocking unit. Zabel (6’6/312) exits college after five years having earned FCS All-American accolades en route to his second national championship last season. He shuttled between right tackle and guard over his first four seasons, logging 633 of his 911 snaps at RT where he posted a 2.7 percent pressure rate and an 88.5 pass block grade. He moved over to left tackle last year and excelled in both phases, recording a sensational 92.9 pass protection grade paired with an 87th percentile run grade. Excellent footwork and movement ability offsets less than ideal 32-inch arms, with Zabel routinely stonewalling his overmatched FCS opponents to the tune of a 99.1 percent pass block efficiency rate. His athleticism was verified in testing with Zabel recording a 99 1/2-percentile 36.5-inch vert and a brisk 4.60 shuttle for a superb 9.49 Relative Athletic Score that ranks third among 2025 tackles. Any concerns about how he stacks up against upper-level competition were quelled when Zabel shined in Senior Bowl practices, punching his ticket as a top-flight OL prospect.