How does Ouzts’ status impact Seahawks’ plans at fullback?

Under then-offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak last season, the Seattle Seahawks regularly used a fullback for the first time in nearly a decade.

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And heading into training camp this summer, there was speculation that the fullback could take on an even larger role in Seattle’s offense under new Brian Fleury, who hails from a San Francisco 49ers system that’s long featured one of the NFL’s top fullbacks in Kyle Juszczyk.

However, it’s fair to wonder whether Robbie Ouzts’ status could throw a snag in those potential plans.

Ouzts, Seattle’s top fullback, has been sidelined from the past week of training camp with an undisclosed issue. And while it’s uncertain what he’s dealing with, it’s a bit concerning given that Ouzts missed both the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl this past season with a neck injury.

“We’re going to try to find some more information with Robbie’s situation,” Macdonald said this past Monday. “I’ll just leave it at that right now.”

Macdonald was asked again about Ouzts on Wednesday and Saturday, but didn’t have any updates. And in a potentially telling move on Thursday, the Seahawks signed second-year fullback Brock Lampe, who joins Brady Russell to give Seattle a second healthy fullback on its roster.

Following Saturday evening’s annual practice at Lumen Field, Macdonald was asked about the fullback position in the wake of Ouzts’ uncertain status.

“I think you can have an effective offense in different personnel, so whether Robbie’s a part of that equation now or later, we’ve got to let that whole thing play out,” Macdonald said. “But there’s other ways to create extra gaps, and we have guys that can do that.”

Fleury echoed that earlier this week.

“We’re gonna find creative ways to get a second back into the backfield,” Fleury said. “It doesn’t have to be a traditional fullback. We’ve found ways to use receivers in lead-blocking roles, other tight ends, even other running backs. So we’ll find a way to get it done.”

Ouzts, a 2025 fifth-round draft pick out of Alabama, converted to fullback last offseason after playing tight end in college. He logged 203 offensive snaps in 12 regular-season games last season.

Russell played just 58 offensive snaps last year – 33 of which came while Ouzts was sidelined with an ankle injury from Weeks 4-7. Like Ouzts, Russell also is a former tight end who converted to fullback during the 2025 offseason.

Lampe spent his 2025 rookie season on the New England Patriots’ injured reserve after suffering a leg injury in last summer’s training camp. He was waived by the Patriots last month.

The 6-foot-3, 274-pound Ouzts is notably bigger than both Russell (6-3, 250) and Lampe (6-1, 249).

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