Seahawks' rebuilt offensive line is still a work in progress, and now Quenton Nelson's knee is on the report

The Seahawks traded for Quenton Nelson to fix their offensive line. Ten days later the line is still learning to play together, and Nelson himself is on the injury report. The eight-time Pro Bowl guard was limited in practice Wednesday and did not practice Thursday because of a knee injury, Seattle Sports' Brent Stecker reported, three days before Seattle hosts Arizona with a backup quarterback.

Left tackle Charles Cross (ankle) did not practice either day. Guard Anthony Bradford, who has been coming back from a knee injury, was a full participant Thursday. Coach Mike Macdonald said this week that Cross has a chance to play, ESPN's Brady Henderson reported; Cross has not yet taken a practice snap next to Nelson.

A new line, one game in

General manager John Schneider acquired Nelson from Indianapolis on Oct. 27 for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder, according to ESPN. The move put Nelson at left guard and shifted Grey Zabel, the second-year player who had started there, to right guard, a position he had not started at since his freshman year of college. With Cross out after spraining his ankle against Kansas City, Josh Jones started at left tackle against Chicago.

It did not go smoothly. The Bears, who had just traded for All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, sacked Sam Darnold three times and hit him six times in a 34-17 win. Simmons' first sack came on a quick win over Zabel. Darnold also held the ball longer than he had the week before, averaging 2.89 seconds before throwing, against 2.45 in the win over the Chiefs, Henderson wrote, and Macdonald made a point of calling sacks a team stat rather than a line stat.

Inside the building the message is patience. Right tackle Abraham Lucas has lined up next to four different right guards this season, Seahawks.com's Ari Horton wrote, and Zabel likened switching sides to writing with his other hand. Offensive coordinator Brian Fleury said the Chicago game was not perfect for a group with so many players in new spots, and that "there's room for growth and I'm excited to see that growth." Lucas said Nelson had picked up the offense in three or four days.

What it means for Sunday, and for Tuesday

Whoever plays will be protecting Drew Lock, who starts for the injured Darnold. Jones filled in for Cross against Chicago, and Bradford, activated from injured reserve on Oct. 24, gives Seattle another guard.

Bradford is also a name to watch before the trade deadline at 4 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler listed him as the Seahawk most likely to move, as the odd man out once Nelson arrived. ESPN's Aaron Schatz suggested Seattle look for a blocking tight end after Elijah Arroyo's season-ending shoulder injury. ESPN's playoff model gives Seattle a 48% chance to make the field.

The Seahawks' official game designations for Sunday are due Friday. Kickoff against Arizona is 4:25 p.m. Eastern on Fox. Prices are on the game page, and the depth chart and schedule are on the team page.